Gabe Ruediger has withdrawn from next month's lightweight bout against Paul Kelly at UFC 123 due to a groin injury.

"I've been training with injuries for this whole camp and I've been trying to just work around them," Ruediger explained Sunday evening on his official website. "One injury that has been giving me daily issues was a groin strain. This happened about three weeks ago wrestling. I was wrapping it and just enduring the pain, but Wednesday, I was back to wrestling and my groin tore all the way through. As I laid on the mat I knew it was bad, but it wasn't until Friday that I realized that it would be impossible to be ready for my upcoming bout."

The UFC has not yet determined a replacement for Ruediger and as of Monday morning the matchup was still on UFC.com.

Ruediger, a former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 5, is coming off a major setback at UFC 118 in Boston. After four years of proving himself on regional cards, Ruediger finally received an invitation to return to the UFC in August only to receive the coldest welcome possible from opponent Joe Lauzon. Ruediger taken down with authority and punched/elbowed until being forced to tap to an armbar at two minutes and one second of the first round.

In his blog, Ruediger expressed gratitude towards the UFC for not releasing him.

"I was motivated to come out and have a great performance after my last lackluster one," Ruediger said. "The fact that the UFC gave me another chance was appreciated and I wanted to make the most of it. Now, I will just rest, deal with the frustration and disappointment, heal up and get back to work. I'm hoping with proper rehab to be back as soon as possible."

UFC 123, headlined by Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida, happens Nov. 20 in Auburn Hills, Mich.