Veteran lightweight Evan Dunham (14-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) has been forced to withdraw from next week’s TUF Nations Finale event, and UFC officials are now looking for a new opponent for Mark Bocek (11-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC).

MMAjunkie today learned of the injury withdrawal from sources close to the event who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss such details in public.

TUF Nations Finale takes place April 16 at Colisee Pepsi in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The night’s main card airs on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Dunham, once of the UFC’s most promising lightweight prospects, would have found himself in a liekly must-win situation following back-to-back losses and three defeats in is past four fights. Following a split-decision win over Gleison Tibau in early 2013, the 32-year-old has since suffered defeats to Rafael dos Anjos and Donald Cerrone.

The nature of Dunham’s injury wasn’t immediately disclosed, and a timetable for his return wasn’t immediately established.

Bocek, a fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, was on a 3-1 run (the lone loss came to Benson Henderson) before a decision defeat to Rafael dos Anjos in his most recent bout. However, that fight came way back in November 2012, and the 32-year-old Canadian has been dealing with injuries since then. He’s looking to return from a 17-month layoff.

For more on TUF Nations Finale, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Mark Bocek)