Yair Rodriguez Won’t Fight Zabit Magomedsharipov, John Lineker Wants To Step In
Yair Rodriguez vs Zabit Magomedsharipov was slated for UFC 228. Yet, it won’t happen. MMABrasil.com reported this news first. Yair Rodriguez pulls out of the bout due to an injury. Magomedsharipov has to look for another opponent!
Yair Rodriguez (10-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) was released from the UFC in May this year after refusing to face ZaBeast. But Dana White decided to accept Yair’s excuse. Rodriguez called everything “a big miscommunication”. El Panthera was given a second chance. But only two weeks before UFC 228, he pulls back! Rodriguez has notable victories over BJ Penn and Alex Caceres. Zabit Magomedovsharipov (15-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) hasn’t been defeated since April 14, 2013.
Bantamweight competitor John Lineker wants to go one division up and fight Zabit Magomedsharipov. He offered the showdown to the Russian, who accepted it!
“ Hey Zabit! Since Yair is out, and no one wants me in my div. Ill fight you man!!!
@zabit_mma @danawhite @seanshelby @ufc
— John Lineker (@johnlineker) August 23, 2018
I’m in! Let’s do it! Call mr. Sean Shelby but we called him. He said you’re too small. But I will fight you. Much respect for stepping up. https://t.co/n46k8gMN9r
— Zabit Magomedsharipov (@zabeast_mma) August 23, 2018
But according to Twitter reactions, maybe this doesn’t sound like a good idea at all. The height difference is brutal – Lineker is only 160 cm tall. Compared to Zabit’s 185 cm, this would look like the real collision of David Vs Goliath. Yet, Mao-de-Pedra has a great MMA score of 31-8. In UFC, he won 12 fights and lost only three. His most notable victims were Ian McCall, John Dodson, and Michael McDonald. Lineker knocked Brian Kelleher out at UFC 224 on May 12, 2018.
— Craig Wilkinson (@wilki_nufc) August 23, 2018
Lineker/Zabit would be both the most ridiculous and greatest fight ever booked by the UFC.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) August 23, 2018
@KevCurlss reason I love John Lineker number 184718195719
— Røb (@someRobguyidk) August 23, 2018
ITTY BITTY 5'2" LINEKER AND HIS T-REX ARMS AGAINAT A DUDE 6'1" IS THE BEST FIGHT THE UFC CAN MAKE RIGHT NOW
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) August 23, 2018
There is a big question which fighter would be brave enough to face Zabit Magomedsharipov in such a short notice. Maybe UFC should think about this showdown. After all, this is not kickboxing or Muay Thai! If John Lineker takes him down, height difference won’t mean anything! What are your thoughts on this?
