UFC 272 has suffered a blow on fight week with the news that co-main event fighter Rafael Fiziev has had to pull out of his fight with Rafael dos Anjos after testing positive for Covid.
However, soon after the news emerged Islam Makhachev made it clear he is willing to step in as a late replacement for Fiziev, even though he only just fought this past weekend at UFC Fight Night 272.
“170 ??? Let’s do it. We have unfinished business RDA,” Makhachev wrote to dos Anjos.
Makhachev picked up a swift first round TKO victory over Bobby Green on Saturday night, so he clearly still feels fresh enough to go straight back into the Octagon, although with the stipulation that it’d have to be at 170lbs due to not wanting to have to cut weight again.
“165lbs!! Division you guy created. I’m game,” dos Anjos responded.
Makhachev wasn’t impressed with RDA’s counter-offer though.
“You looking for the way out again?” the 10-fight undefeated Makhachev taunted.
“170lbs I’m in!! Let’s go!!! Don’t run!!” RDA replied.
It’s a bold, and arguably illogical call-out from Makhachev given not only the short turnaround from his last fight, but also the fact that Dana White had appeared to indicate after his fight this past weekend that he would be next in line for a title shot against the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje.
With that in mind the UFC might look for an alternative option instead, but if it does happen then it’s certainly a fight that people will be eager to see and could take Makhachev’s stock to an even higher level than it is currently.
