Here’s a bit of unexpected news that affects both UFC 170 and UFC on Fox 11. The UFC announced late last night that a February 22nd bout between lightweights Rafael dos Anjos and Rustam Khabilov was scrapped due to injury.
Bah – Rustam Khabilov VS Rafael dos Anjos has been cancelled from UFC 170 due to injury
— UFC News (@UFCNews) February 5, 2014
That’s a tough loss for UFC 170, but it’s UFC on Fox 11’s gain. The Brazilian has already been booked against Khabib Nurmagomedov, the man he seriously thought he was fighting at UFC 170 instead of Khabilov.
We’re on a roll so… #6 ranked lightweight Rafael dos Anjos has verbally agreed to face #7 ranked Khabib Nurmagomedov April 19 in Orlando.
— UFC News (@UFCNews) February 5, 2014
Dos Anjos (20-6) has won 5 straight and is inching closer towards a title shot. His last performance was an upset win over Donald Cerrone at UFC Fight Night 28 in Indianapolis. The 29-year-old knocked Cerrone down in the 1st round, cleanly took the 2nd round before losing the 3rd but otherwise earning a decision win. Nurmagomedov (21-0) has been quite vocal in looking for opponents
We also have two other Fox 11 bouts confirmed for April 19th in Orlando: Lightweights Jorge Masvidal and Pat Healy, as well as middleweights Yoel Romero and Brad Tavares.
#UFCFightNight in Orlando bout update! @bambamhealy vs @GamebredFighter and @BradTavares vs @YoelRomeroMMA. Tix on sale next Friday.
— UFC News (@UFCNews) February 5, 2014
Masvidal (25-8) is a Florida native so it’s not surprise he’s on this card. He lost his last fight, a FOTN thriller against Khabilov (or was it Nurmagomedov?) by unanimous decision at UFC Fight For the Troops 3. He’d previously notched wins over Michael Chiesa and Tim Means. Fellow Strikeforce fighter Healy (31-17, 1 NC) has lost consecutive bouts to Nurmagomedov (or was it Khabilov?) and Bobby Green. His win over Jim Miller was flipped to a no contest after he tested positive for marijuana, so technically speaking, he’s without a win in 4 UFC fights.
Tavares is 7-1 in the UFC and recorded his best win of his career with a unanimous decision over Lorenz Larkin in the UFC Fight Night 35 co-main event. Earlier that night, Romero (7-1) overcame a slow start (and a jarring head kick) vs. Derek Brunson and won his 2nd straight fight by 3rd round KO/TKO.
UFC on Fox 11 is headlined by a heavyweight five-rounder between top contenders Travis Browne and Fabricio Werdum.
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