Next weekend’s UFC Fight Night 201’s event has seen a rather significant reshuffle, with its headlining bout between former undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos, and Rafael Fiziev cancelled.
The event was scheduled to mark the return of dos Anjos against the surging, Fiziev, however, according to a report from Ariel Helwani, VISA issues have prevented Fiziev’s return at the event, with the bout now expected to land as the co-headlining bout of UFC 272 on March 5. – retaining it’s five round sanctioning to boot.
As a result, next weekend’s UFC Apex headliner is now a light heavyweight showdown between Johnny Walker, and the streaking striking ace, Jamahal Hill which has been elevated from its original co-main event billing.
Niteroi native, dos Anjos has seen his Octagon activity hampered since his last outing back in November 2020, and is yet to feature since then.
Before a pair of cancelled clashes with upcoming main event feature, Islam Makhachev, dos Anjos managed to return to the lightweight division with a one-sided split decision win over the now-retired Paul Felder, who replaced Makhachev on just days notice.
The victory came as dos Anjos’ first since May 2019 where he stopped one-time interim lightweight title challenger and now-promotional alum, Kevin Lee with a fourth round arm-triangle in the main event of UFC Fight Night Rochester.
Riding a five-fight winning spree, Tiger Muay Thai mainstay, Fiziev earned the #11 rank in the official lightweight pile back in December, stopping Brad Riddell with a stunning third round wheel kick and follow up strikes.
UFC 272 is slated to take place on March 5. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – with a welterweight grudge match between former interim division champion, Colby Covington, and knockout artist, Jorge Masvidal booked to headline the event.
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