T.J. Laramie announces withdrawal from UFC 268 due to MRSA infection

For the second time this year, T.J. Laramie has been forced to pull out of a fight.

The UFC featherweight announced Friday that he is withdrawing from his upcoming bout against Melsik Baghdasaryan scheduled for UFC 268 in New York City on Nov. 6 after being diagnosed with a MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection. Laramie broke the news via Facebook, stating that he is already on the path to recovery.

“I’m out of my fight November 6th,” Laramie wrote. “Had an abscess cut out of my inner thigh area on Tuesday and also started developing them on my face. At first what I thought was an ingrown hair quickly spread and I started feeling some flu like symptoms and pain in the area, which lead me to the Urgent care and then to the ER.

“Doctors say it is MRSA. After being on the wrong antibiotics at first I’m now on the correct antibiotics and getting the wound taken care of. Obviously I’m extremely disappointed to not be fighting especially missing the opportunity to be on what is going to be the card of the year. It’s really terrible timing. Luckily the recovery time shouldn’t be long at all and I can get right back to work for the next opportunity.”

Laramie also shared images of his afflicted thigh, which can be seen below:

Laramie did not give a timetable for his return, only adding that he expects a quick recovery and hopes to be able to fight again soon. He also withdrew from a May 1 booking against Damon Jackson earlier this year for undisclosed reasons.

A Contender Series contract winner winner in 2020, Laramie (12-4) has made one UFC appearance so far, losing by submission in under a minute to Darrick Minner in September of last year.