Walt Harris vs. Josh Parisian Bout Canceled for UFC Vegas 77
The highly anticipated heavyweight showdown between Walt Harris and Josh Parisian has been canceled for the UFC Vegas 77 event set to take place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas this Saturday.
Multiple sources familiar with the matter confirmed the news to MMA Hook on Wednesday.
Harris recently disclosed that the fight cancellation resulted from a drug testing issue within the framework of the UFC’s anti-doping program. In a statement shared on social media, Harris addressed the situation:
“Unfortunately, my fight has been canceled due to an issue arising from my most recent USADA test. It appears that a supplement I’ve been relying on throughout my entire career was not approved by USADA. I deeply regret not verifying this beforehand, but I want to emphasize that I am not a cheater. I apologize sincerely to my opponent, Josh Parisian. I was genuinely looking forward to battling you in the octagon. Once I overcome this setback, if you’re willing, I hope we can reschedule. I am fully committed to tackling this issue head-on, working closely with the UFC and USADA, and I anticipate resolving this matter in the coming weeks.”
Harris, who had hoped to regain momentum following a string of three consecutive losses, most recently faced Marcin Tybura in June 2021. Since then, Harris has been absent from competition due to undisclosed reasons, and it now seems he will have to wait even longer to make his return to the octagon.
Meanwhile, Parisian, a Contender Series veteran, has experienced mixed results in his five UFC appearances, alternating between victories and defeats. He suffered a decision loss to Jamal Pogues in February, which brought his overall UFC record to 2-3. Prior to his UFC stint, Parisian had also appeared on Dana White’s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter.
Although the Harris vs. Parisian bout was originally slated as a main card fight for Saturday’s event, UFC officials have yet to announce any modifications to the lineup at this time.
Contributions to this report by Mike Heck.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about UFC Vegas 77.
Why was the heavyweight matchup between Walt Harris and Josh Parisian scrapped from UFC Vegas 77?
The fight was canceled due to a drug testing issue under the UFC’s anti-doping program. Walt Harris revealed that the cancellation resulted from a supplement he had been using throughout his career that was not approved by USADA.
Will the fight be rescheduled?
There is no information yet regarding a rescheduling of the bout. Walt Harris expressed his desire to face Josh Parisian again once he resolves the current issue and receives clearance from USADA.
What is the recent fighting history of Walt Harris and Josh Parisian?
Walt Harris had suffered three consecutive losses before this fight cancellation, with his most recent bout being against Marcin Tybura in June 2021. Josh Parisian has alternated between wins and losses in his five appearances in the UFC, including a decision loss to Jamal Pogues in February.
Are there any changes to the UFC Vegas 77 lineup?
As of now, UFC officials have not announced any modifications to the lineup following the cancellation of the Harris vs. Parisian bout. Fans will have to wait for further updates regarding the event.
More about UFC Vegas 77.
- MMA Hook
- USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency)
- UFC Official Website
- Walt Harris UFC Fighter Profile
- Josh Parisian UFC Fighter Profile
- Marcin Tybura UFC Fighter Profile
- Jamal Pogues UFC Fighter Profile
- Dana White’s Contender Series
- The Ultimate Fighter
