Ray Borg releases statement following UFC 215 withdrawal

Ray Borg is looking elsewhere for consultation on his health after missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime.

The 24-year-old flyweight was supposed to fight divisional champion Demetrious Johnson in the main event of UFC 215 on Saturday in Edmonton, Alberta, but the bout was canceled Thursday when a viral illness to Borg caused doctors to rule him unfit to compete.

Borg’s nutritionist Dr. Michelle Ingels of Perfecting Athletes issued a statement following the news specifying that the withdrawal “wasn’t weight related.” On Friday, Borg released a statement of his own to MMAWeekly.com apologizing to fans and his opponent, and announcing that he is parting ways with the Perfecting Athletes organization.

“First, I want to say I’m sorry to the fans and to Demetrious Johnson for being unable to fight,” Borg said. “I want to say thank you to Dr. Davidson, the UFC and to Jeff Novitzky for looking out for my health and best interests.

“I also want to add that I am no longer working with Perfecting Athletes and Michelle Ingels, who was not authorized to speak on my behalf.”

Borg’s statement does not offer further clarification on the exact nature of his illness. The last time he was forced to withdraw from a fight, versus Ian McCall at UFC 203, it was also because health problems struck less than 48 hours before an event.

UPDATE: On Saturday, Perfecting Athletes released a statement responding to Borg’s decision to terminate their working relationship:

Perfecting Athletes has a long history of exceptional care and a reputation for putting our clients’ health and safety above all else. We honor and respect our clients’ privacy and have never commented about them without prior consent. We have the utmost respect for Ray as an athlete and wish him the very best.