It looks like Nicco Montano lost more than just a payday after being removed from her title fight with Valentina Shevchenko tomorrow night (Sat., Sept. 8, 2018) at UFC 228 due to weight cut issues.

According to UFC president Dana White, Montano is no longer the UFC women’s flyweight champion. The decision come just hours after Montano was forced out of UFC 228 and eventually hospitalized for a suspect kidney.

“The belt becomes vacated,” White said in an interview with Megan Olivi on the FOX Sports 1 UFC 228 weigh-in show (shown above). “So, the title is vacated. Obviously, Shevchenko is dying to fight for this title. So we’re in the process right now of trying to make another fight.”

Ouch.

Montano, who captured the inaugural flyweight title with a victory over Roxanne Modafferi at TUF 26 Finale last December, was about to make her Octagon return after nine months on the sidelines. While the now former champion is expected to make a full recovery her botched UFC 228 weight cut has cost her dearly.

Shevchenko, who believes Montano would have done anything to get out of their co-main event clash this weekend, is next in line to fight for the vacant strap. After all, “Bullet” has been one of the most consistent bantamweight fighters in the world before dropping back down to 125 pounds earlier this year and dominating.

White was uncertain of who Shevchenko would fight for the vacant title, but insisted the bout would take place “before the end of the year.”

UFC 228 will proceed with a main event title fight pitting current welterweight champion Tyron Woodley against undefeated English sensation Darren Till.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 228 fight card, starting with the Fight Pass “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on FX at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET.