The news came less than a day after Cain Velasquez was forced off the February 6 card with a back injury as Brazilian Werdum also cited a similar back complaint and a foot problem.

Stipe Miocic had agreed to step in for Velasquez on just two weeks notice and only three weeks after a first-round knockout win over Andrei Arlovski at UFC 195.

It is not yet known if Miocic will still fight on the card or if the co-main event between Johny Hendricks and Stephen Thompson will be elevated to the headliner slot.

Werdum said: “I was already injured. I have a foot injury, and haven’t been able to throw kicks in training for two weeks.

“I would still fight Cain because I was injured the last time, but I also hurt my back last Friday. I went to the doctor, tried to continue training, but couldn’t spar as I should spar. I decided not to fight because I’m not 100 percent,” he continued.

“If Cain was the opponent, I would go on. It’s not his fault, it’s nobody’s fault. Injuries happen.

“You can’t avoid them. I have no option. I made this decision because I’m not feeling 100 percent.

“I made this decision together with my team. We decided not to fight. Cain can’t fight.

“I was going to hide the injury one more time, like I always did. I tried to hide it, but couldn’t this time. I can’t fight if I’m not 100 per cent to put on a show like always.”

According to ESPN, Ben Rothwell, who is due to fight on Saturday against Josh Barnett, is willing to step in and take on Miocic.

Rothwell and Miocic were originally scheduled to fight each other in Dublin back in October. However, Miocic was forced to pull out due to injury.