Reports: Tim Kennedy UFC bout off

Days before taking center stage in the world's most famous arena, Tim Kennedy has been left without a dance partner.

Kennedy had been set to face Rashad Evans on the undercard of Saturday's UFC 205, the promotion's first visit to New York's Madison Square Garden. But an initial ESPN report, confirmed by mixed martial arts journalist Ariel Helwani, says the bout has been scratched because of problems with Evans' medical work.

Neither the promotion nor the fighters have commented publicly on the reports. The bout would've been Evans' debut in the 185-pound weight class after spending much of his UFC career in the 205-pound division. It was to be Kennedy's return to the cage after a hiatus of more than two years; his last UFC appearance was his first loss in the promotion, a controversial third-round stoppage at the hands of Yoel Romero.

The fight would've been one of four bouts to air for free on Fox Sports 1 on Saturday evening, ahead of what may be one of the promotions most stacked pay-per-view cards in recent memory. Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez square off in the main event. Given the high profile of the event, it's possible another fighter could step up on short notice to fill Evans' position.
Marine veteran and UFC mainstay Liz Carmouche, who fought Ronda Rousey in the promotion's first-ever women's bout in 2013, will face Katlyn Chookagian at the Garden in a fight set to air on UFC Fight Pass, an online streaming service, prior to the FS1 card.

Kennedy recently told ESPN that continuing as a UFC fighter only made financial sense if he gets a rematch with Michael Bisping, the reigning 185-pound champion who Kennedy defeated by decision in 2014. Otherwise, he said, the outlay for training, medical expenses and other costs doesn't justify the purse -- he told the sports network that money-wise, the scheduled fight with Evans would be "a wash."

The Texas Army National Guard member and former active-duty sniper has raised his profile outside the cage, serving as host for the Power Triumph Games on CBS Sports Network and signing on for another season of the History Channel's " Hunting Hitler."