Emily Whitmire scratched from UFC Vegas 20, replacement sought

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Sam Hughes needs a new opponent after Emily Whitmire was forced to withdraw from UFC Vegas 20.

People with knowledge of Whitmire’s withdrawal confirmed the news to MMA Fighting after an initial report from Cageside Press. UFC Vegas 20 takes place Feb. 27 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The reason for Whitmire’s scratch is unknown at this time; she was previously scheduled to face Hannah Cifers before Cifers withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons.

With less than two weeks until the event, Hughes is looking at a short-notice adjustment to her training. She hopes to earn her first UFC win after stepping up on short notice to take on veteran Tecia Torres at UFC 256; the…