In another unexpected turn of events, Carlos Ulberg has been forced to withdraw from his highly anticipated light heavyweight bout against Anthony Smith at UFC 303. The announcement was made by the UFC on Friday, shortly after initial reports from Vestnik MMA surfaced. Roman Dolidze has now been tapped as Ulberg's replacement, marking his return to the light heavyweight division.

The reason behind Ulberg's withdrawal has not been disclosed at this time. Ulberg, with a record of 9-1 MMA and 6-1 UFC, had stepped in to replace Khalil Rountree in the UFC 303 lineup, taking on Jamahal Hill. However, Hill was forced to pull out due to a knee injury, paving the way for Anthony Smith to step in as a replacement. Now, with yet another change, Smith will face off against Dolidze.

Dolidze, who had initially started his career at 205 pounds, was looking to bounce back after back-to-back decision losses to Marvin Vettori and Nassourdine Imavov. Prior to those losses, Dolidze had an impressive streak with four straight victories, including notable finishes against Kyle Daukaus, Phil Hawes, and Jack Hermansson. With a current record of 12-3 MMA and 6-3 UFC, Dolidze will be eager to make a statement in his return to the light heavyweight division.

Anthony Smith, a former title challenger, was riding high after submitting Vitor Petrino in just two minutes at UFC 301, handing the Brazilian his first career loss. Smith has won two of his past three fights and was looking to build on that momentum by taking on another rising contender in Ulberg. However, plans have since changed with the addition of Dolidze as his opponent.

The updated UFC 303 lineup now includes the highly-anticipated light heavyweight bout between Roman Dolidze and Anthony Smith. In addition, there will be a heavyweight clash between Andrei Arlovski and Martin Buday. Fans eager for more information on the upcoming event can visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 303.

As the anticipation builds, MMA enthusiasts are encouraged to join discussions and explore more content related to mixed martial arts on the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel. Keep an eye out for further updates on this thrilling event that promises to deliver high-intensity action in the octagon.