Vertigo delays Alvin Hines' pursuit of first UFC victory

Alvin Hines has withdrawn from his UFC Fight Night 293 heavyweight bout against Gabriel Lourenco on November 7 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas due to vertigo. The withdrawal marks another setback for the prospect, who was seeking his first UFC victory after opening his promotional tenure with two consecutive losses.

Hines (7-2) arrived in the UFC as an undefeated prospect, having compiled six finishes in seven victories before signing with the promotion last year. However, both of his Octagon appearances have resulted in defeats, dramatically altering his trajectory in the world's premier MMA organization.

Meanwhile, Lourenco (8-1) was set to make his promotional debut following a dominant first-round knockout victory over Charlie Cleveland on Dana White's Contender Series in September. The bout would have been a significant test for the Brazilian newcomer against a UFC-contracted opponent.

In a statement on Instagram, Hines explained his decision: "I had to pull out of this one for medical reasons due to vertigo. It wasn't an easy decision, but I know I need to be able to step into that Octagon at 100% and perform to my true potential." He emphasized his commitment to return when fully recovered, noting that "sometimes the hardest part of fighting isn't throwing punches. It's knowing when to step back, get right, and prepare for the next battle." Hines intends to continue training with adjustments while addressing the medical issue before his next scheduled fight.