Loughran's opponent Taveras out of UFC 304

Caolan Loughran's opponent Ramon Taveras has withdrawn from their scheduled bantamweight bout at UFC 304 in Manchester because of injury.

Ireland's Loughran, 28, who has one win and one defeat in the UFC, was set to face the American on the preliminary card at the Co-op Live Arena on 27 July.

It is unclear if the UFC are seeking a replacement for Taveras, 30, who has not disclosed the nature of his injury.

"Today I had to [withdraw] from my fight next Saturday due to a serious injury. I worked so hard this fight camp and it sucks that it came to this," Taveras wrote on Instagram., external

The card is headlined by Britain's Leon Edwards, who will defend his welterweight title against American Belal Muhammad.

Fellow Briton Tom Aspinall is set to defend his interim heavyweight championship against American Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event.

The show, which will take place overnight to carer to a US audience, is set to be the first sporting event to take place at the 23,000-seat arena.