As first reported by Ariel Helwani during the The MMA Hour, Rafael Fiziev has been forced to withdraw from his co-main event bout against Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 272. As Fiziev recovers from a bout with COVID-19, the UFC is currently looking for a replacement and Dos Anjos has said he still wants to fight on Saturday night.
The UFC is currently looking to book RDA against Islam Makhachev in the co-main event for UFC 272. On Saturday night, Makhachev defeated Bobby Green in the main event of Fight Night 202. The bout ended in the first round without getting any damage done to him. Makhachev and Dos Anjos were linked to fight back at UFC 252, however the fight never took place as a myriad of injuries put a stop to things. If the UFC were to book a third rescheduled bout between the two, now is the time to book it where the hope for no one pulling out would be here.
The Lightweight division has been booming lately with what is booked for the current future, from fights such as dCharles Oliveira vs Justin Gaethje, Tony Ferguson vs Michael Chandler and a return from Conor McGregor in a few months, the UFC would be smart to make RDA vs Makhachev happen now so that the winner could go on to fight Oliveira for the championship if he were to retain, Gaethje, the winner of Ferguson vs Chandler or a big main event against McGregor who is looking to get back into the title picture in the near-future.
We will keep you updated as more news comes out on who the replacement for Dos Anjos could be for this Saturday night at UFC 272.
