The Ontario Athletic Commission has barred former light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans from fighting at UFC 206 on Dec. 10 in Toronto.

Evans was also denied a license to fight at UFC 205 earlier this month in New York City.

"(The) UFC has been notified by the Ontario Athletic Commission that it has declined to approve a license for middleweight Rashad Evans, based on the recent medical issue that prohibited him from competing at UFC 205 in New York City," the UFC said Monday in a statement. "As a result, Evans' rescheduled bout against Tim Kennedy, set for UFC 206 in Toronto on Saturday, Dec. 10, has subsequently been cancelled."

The UFC did not detail Evans' medical issue. Neither did Evans, who took to social media to state his case.

"Despite the latest news on not getting a license to fight in Toronto I am 100% healthy. I will not retire. Thank yuh for the support," he wrote.

The 37-year-old Evans also apologized to Kennedy via Twitter and thanked the UFC for being "very helpful with making sure I am OK and getting this cleared up."

"You are a champion," Kennedy tweeted in reply. "I appreciate the opportunity. Forever a fan."

After being pulled from the New York card, Evans told mmafighting.com that an Oct. 19 MRI had revealed "irregular findings." Evans said he passed further tests requested by the New Yok commission but was declined a license.

The UFC said in its statement Monday that it had "encouraged Evans to take all the appropriate time to consult with his physicians and properly evaluate his medical status prior to scheduling any future bouts."

The Kennedy fight was slated to be Evans' debut at 185 pounds.

Evans (24-5-1) won the 205-pound title in December 2008 when he dethroned Forrest Griffin at UFC 92. He lost his first title defence to Lyoto (The Dragon) Machida at UFC 98 in May 2009 He won his next four before losing to champion Jon (Bones) Jones at UFC 145 in April 2012.

Evans, who has battled a knee injury of late, has lost three of five fights since then including his last two. His last outing was a first-round KO at the hands of Glover Teixeira in April.

A native of Niagara Falls, N.Y., who now fights out of Boca Raton, Fla., Evans won Season 2 of "The Ultimate Fighter" reality TV show. The former Michigan State wrestler was a coach on Season 10.