Imagine this: a tiny, seemingly insignificant cold sore derails a highly anticipated UFC fight at the eleventh hour. That’s exactly what happened to Amanda Lemos, the No. 5-ranked women’s Strawweight contender, who was forced to withdraw from her UFC Vegas 112 bout against Gillian Robertson just hours before stepping into the Octagon. But here’s where it gets controversial—was this decision justified, or did it go too far? Let’s dive in.
Alexander Behunin, a seasoned MMA journalist and social media guru at MMAmania.com, broke the story, shedding light on the drama that unfolded last weekend (Saturday, December 13, 2025) at the UFC Apex. Lemos, a former title challenger, was set to face Robertson in the “Featured Prelim”—a fight fans had been eagerly awaiting. However, on the day of the event, Lemos was pulled from the card due to a mysterious ‘bump’ on her lip, leaving Robertson visibly frustrated and fans scratching their heads. And this is the part most people miss: the athletic commission’s decision wasn’t just about the bump itself but the uncertainty surrounding it.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Lemos explained, ‘Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know my fight was canceled. On Thursday, a little bump appeared on my mouth, and I don’t know what it was. The athletic commission decided to cancel the fight because they couldn’t identify it.’ She added, ‘I’m sad, I was super prepared, but I don’t have control over it. Thank you for the support—I’ll be back, God willing.’ Fans quickly speculated that the bump was a cold sore, a form of herpes, though Lemos didn’t confirm this. But here’s the kicker: cold sores have been a contentious issue in MMA before.
While Lemos’s case remains unconfirmed, history shows that cold sores have led to fight cancellations. Fighters on recent seasons of The Ultimate Fighter were pulled for similar reasons, and earlier this year, Light Heavyweight Rodolfo Viera withdrew just 30 minutes before his bout due to a herpes-related cold sore. This raises a thought-provoking question: Are these precautions necessary, or are they an overreaction? After all, cold sores are common and often harmless, but they’re also contagious—a risk the UFC and athletic commissions seem unwilling to take.
For now, Lemos has time to address the issue. Her fight with Robertson has been rescheduled for UFC Vegas 114 on March 14, 2026, though she initially hinted at a February 7 date. As fans await the rematch, the debate rages on: Was this cancellation fair to Lemos, Robertson, and the fans? Or did the athletic commission make the right call to prioritize health and safety? What do you think? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments—this is one fight that’s far from over.
