An intriguing lightweight showdown between Magomed
Mustafaev and Yamato
Nishikawa will not be happening at
UFC 280 as originally planned.
Advertisement
The Las Vegas-based promotion confirmed
the cancellation on Tuesday, citing “multiple issues” in a
statement. It was initially
rumored that the bout was scrapped because Nishikawa was still
under contract with another organization, but the Japanese fighter
denied those reports.
Order
UFC 280 “Oliveira vs. Makhachev” exclusively on ESPN+
UFC 280 will move forward with 13 bouts.
The card takes place on Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and
is headlined by a lightweight title clash between Charles
Oliveira and Islam
Makhachev. The main card airs on pay-per-view via ESPN+
beginning at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, while prelims are broadcast on
ESPN and ESPN+ at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT.
Mustafaev hasn’t competed since February 2020, when he dropped a
split decision to Brad
Riddell at UFC Fight Night 168. The 34-year-old Russian is 3-2
in the UFC and 14-3 as a professional overall.
The 19-year-old Nishikawa has already acquired a large amount of
experience at a young age, compiling a 21-3-6 professional mark
since making his debut in 2016. The Shooto veteran has won his last
14 fights.