Credit:Getty/UFC
Credit: Getty/UFC
Rafael
Fiziev has been forced to withdraw from the UFC 272 co-main
event against Rafael dos
Anjos after testing positive for COVID-19.
Fiziev confirmed his exit from the card following an initial report
on ”The MMA
Hour.” It’s currently unclear if the promotion will find a
replacement opponent for dos Anjos on Saturday’s card.
“I’m devastated to announce that I’m out of the fight,” Fiziev
wrote on Twitter. “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 three 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
Fiziev and dos Anjos were initially slated to square off in the UFC
Fight Night 201 headliner, but visa issues for Fiziev led to the
postponement of the bout.
Anchored at Tiger Muay Thai, Fiziev has won his last five bouts in
UFC competition. Most recently, he scored a third-round KO victory
against Brad
Riddell at UFC on ESPN 31 on Dec. 4.
A former 155-pound title holder, dos Anjos made a triumphant return
to lightweight in November 2020, when he took a split decision over
Paul
Felder at UFC Fight Night 182.
UFC 272 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday
and is headlined by a five-round welterweight clash pitting
Colby
Covington against Jorge
Masvidal.