Islam Makhachev out of Saturday’s fight with Rafael dos Anjos

Days before he was scheduled to headline the UFC Fight Night card, lightweight Islam Makhachev is off this weekend’s card.

Photo courtesy: UFC

Days before he was scheduled to headline the UFC Fight Night card, lightweight Islam Makhachev is off this weekend’s card where he was scheduled to fight Rafael dos Anjos.

The news was first reported by ESPN with Makhachev confirming his withdrawal after contracting staph infection during his weight cut.

 

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Успокаивает только одно, что от предписанного нам никуда не деться ☝️ ⠀ Много сил и времени потрачено были к этому бою, находился на пике формы но как только начал сбрасывать вес и иммунитет начал слабеть я подхватил инфекцию которая выведет меня из строя минимум на месяц в этом лагере наша команда уже не раз сталкивалась с этой инфекцией и многим пришлось отменить свои бои. Этот год был тяжелым для моей карьеры очень много боев отменилось но обещаю вам я буду идти до конца к этому поясу чего бы мне это не стоило Inshaalah

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The ESPN report stated that the UFC was seeking a replacement to fight dos Anjos on short notice this weekend.

Makhachev, 29, is looked at as the successor to training partner Khabib Nurmagomedov with this fight a significant one to elevate his status in the UFC’s deep lightweight division by fighting a former champion. Makhachev is 18-1 with a 6-1 mark inside the UFC having won his previous six fights.

This is the second time the lightweight fight has fallen apart. They were scheduled to fight at UFC 254 last month and was delayed after dos Anjos contracted COVID-19.

Dos Anjos, 36, is looking to rebound after a pair of decision losses to Leon Edwards and Michael Chiesa since July 2019.

About John Pollock 5483 Articles
Born on a Friday, John Pollock is a reporter, editor & podcaster at POST Wrestling. He runs and owns POST Wrestling alongside Wai Ting.