Very fresh off his main event win, Islam Makhachev has offered to save the UFC 272 co-main event, and Rafael dos Anjos accepted.
Fiziev Out
Earlier this morning, it was reported that Rafael Fiziev has tested positive for COVID and unfortunately, is out of his co-main event fight with Dos Anjos. The pair were supposed to main event UFC Vegas 48 on February 19; however, the UFC moved the fight to UFC 272 due to visa issues from Fiziev.
Other Fighters Offer To Step In
As expected, many UFC fighters jumped at the opportunity to fight RDA in the co-main event, including Paul Felder, Terrance McKinney, and Renato Moicano.
Unfinished Business
MMA Manager Ali Abdelaziz tagged his client Makhachev, and then a few minutes Makhachev offered to step in. Makhachev is coming off a pretty simple first-round TKO win over Bobby Green, who stepped on short notice at UFC Vegas 49
“170 ??? Let’s do it. We have unfinished business RDA,” Makhachev wrote.
170 ??? Let’s do it. We have unfinished business RDA @ufc @espnmma @bokamotoESPN @MMAjunkieJohn https://t.co/1y98cgmSbV
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 28, 2022
At first, RDA rejected the offer and wanted the Russian to fight at a 165 catchweight, which is totally understandable.
The Exchanges
The former lightweight champion wrote, “165lbs!! Division you guy created. I’m game.” RDA is referring to the 165 lb division that Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov created inside his Eagle FC promotion.
165lbs!! Division you guy created. I’m game. https://t.co/1HbCdw0dVi
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) February 28, 2022
Two hours later, RDA went back on Twitter and accepted the offer, by writing, “170lbs I’m in!! Let’s go!!! Don’t run!!”
@MAKHACHEVMMA 170lbs I’m in!! Let’s go!!! Don’t run!!
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) March 1, 2022
Well, we got a fight; now everyone is just waiting on the UFC to make it official, and let’s hope they do it.
RDA and Makhachev have been scheduled to fight three different times. They were initially scheduled to fight at UFC 254 in October 2020, then at UFC Vegas 14 a month later. The last time they were scheduled came at UFC 267 last year.
Is the fourth time a charm? Will the MMA Gods help out? Tune in to MiddleEasy to find out.
