Rafael dos Anjos has a new opponent for this weekend’s UFC 272 co-main event after Rafael Fiziev had to withdraw due to testing positive for Covid during fight week.
Despite Islam Makhachev having offered to take the fight just a week after his last TKO win, the UFC have instead opted to give Renato Moicano the opportunity instead.
Moicano also fought not so long ago, notching up his second rear-naked choke submission win in a row against Alexander Hernandez at UFC 271 on February 12th.
Coincidentally, Moicano’s last loss was via KO to the man he’s just replaced, Fiziev, in December of 2020. At the time that had been Moicano’s third loss in four fights due to strikes, but his recent wins have helped him put that tough spell in the rear-view mirror.
As for dos Anjos, the former lightweight champion returned to lightweight in November of 2020 after a slump in form at welterweight which had seen him lose four out of five fights in the division.
However, back at 155lbs RDA returned to winning ways with a split-decision victory over Paul Felder.
So, dos Anjos remains in the co-main event against Moicano for a UFC 272 event that will still be headlined by a welterweight clash of rivals between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal.
