Next weekend’s
UFC Fight Night 182 card has taken a major hit, as Islam
Makhachev has withdrawn from his main event clash against
Rafael dos
Anjos.
ESPN was first to report Makhachev’s exit, which the fighter
later revealed occurred
due to a staph infection. The promotion is currently seeking a
replacement opponent for dos Anjos. The bout was originally
supposed to take place at UFC 254 but was postponed after dos Anjos
tested positive for COVID-19.
Dos Anjos suggested former Bellator lightweight champion Michael
Chandler as a replacement opponent in a Twitter post.
“I wish [Islam Makhachev] a [speedy] recovery,” dos Anjos wrote.
Looking for a new partner to dance. Looks like [Michael Chandler]
is ready to go. Your move!”
Makhachev is currently on a six-fight winning streak in UFC
competition. The Khabib
Nurmagomedov training partner last appeared at UFC 242, where
he outpointed Davi Ramos
in September 2019.
UFC Fight Night 182 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on
Saturday and also includes a welterweight tilt pitting Abdul
Razak Alhassan against Kalinn
Williams. The card will stream in its entirety on ESPN+.