Rafael dos Anjos heard rumblings that Rafael Fiziev wouldn’t be able to share the Octagon with him on Saturday night (March 5) and it’s true.
The main card of UFC 272 was scheduled to feature a showdown between dos Anjos and Fiziev. The event will be held inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card will be headlined by a welterweight grudge match between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal.
RDA vs. Rafael Fiziev Not Happeneing At UFC 272
During an appearance on The MMA Hour, Rafael dos Anjos revealed to Ariel Helwani that his manager told him that Fiziev likely wouldn’t be able to compete this weekend.
“I think it’s kinda weird because once you book a fight you should work on your visa right away but the fight got pushed back two weeks. I was ready to go. I did my whole program to be ready to go on that day. It got pushed back that week and I brought some more training partners from Brazil. So, I had to redo the whole thing but I’m on point right now. To be honest, I’m not really sure if this guy’s gonna show up on Saturday cause I heard some rumors that he may not be able to fight. So, we’ll see. I’m sitting here, I got that news yesterday, Saturday night actually.”
Fiziev’s manager was quick to contact Helwani and confirmed that his fighter can’t make it to fight night due to COVID-19. Fiziev would also confirm it on his social media, sending out the following message regarding his health.
I’m devastated to announce that I’m out of the fight,” Fiziev wrote. “I had a great camp and was ready to put on the show, I flew all the way to Vegas from Thailand just to get sick with covid, for 3 days I’m in hotel bed with fever, bones pain and cough.”
“I called out RDA and I still want that fight when my health will allow me to compete again. Apologies to him, but saying that I was faking it is complete nonsense. Time will put everything in place.”
I called out RDA and I still want that fight when my health will allow me to compete again. Apologies to him, but saying that I was faking it is complete nonsense. Time will put everything in place
— Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) February 28, 2022
Dismissing Islam Makhachev’s Resume
With Fiziev off the card, dos Anjos said he wouldn’t mind fighting Islam Makhachev as a late replacement. RDA was asked if he thinks Islam Makhachev is deserving of a UFC Lightweight Championship opportunity after his quick finish over Bobby Green.
“I don’t think so, Ariel, to be honest with you. He got a 10-win streak but look at his resume. He didn’t fight any top guys, any top contenders. He was supposed to fight Beneil but unfortunately, Beneil got injured but I don’t think so.”
Middle Easy will update you on whether or not dos Anjos will stay on the UFC 272 card.
