Despite Rashad Evans being pulled from Saturday’s UFC 205 card in New York, both he and his opponent, Tim Kennedy, will be paid their show money.

The two fan favourites were set to face-off on the undercard of the historic event in Madison Square Garden, until news broke late on Tuesday that Evans had his license denied by the New York State Athletic Commission due to a medical issue.

The exact nature of the problem has yet to be revealed, but UFC President Dana White has confirmed the reports of the cancelation and has stated that there are no plans to replace the fight or find Kennedy a new opponent.

Speaking to MMAFighting.com, Evans stated that an MRI scan on October 19th revealed “irregular findings” before he as asked to undergo the tests again. Despite claiming to have passed the tests at the second time of asking, the NYSAC have refused to allow the Blackzilians fighter on the card.

“I’m healthy. I don’t want anyone worrying about me. I’m fine, physically speaking. Never felt better. It’s just the commission and their rules. I guess they have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to this.”

Evans, who was set to make his Middleweight debut on Saturday, brushed off the idea of retirement and is adamant on returning to the octagon to end his two-fight losing streak.

“This doesn’t change the fact that I want to fight. This doesn’t change anything for me as far as fighting.”

Based on the pay from the fighters’ last bouts, both of which ended in KO losses, Kennedy could earn $70,000 while “Sugar” could take home as much as $150,000.