The UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz event lost an intriguing match-up after it was revealed that Chechen light-heavyweight prospect Abdul-Kerim Edilov had torn his meniscus during a final training session in Los Angeles.
Reports first emerged on Russian social media, along with a picture of Edilov’s MRI. BloodyElbow.com later confirmed the new with sources close to Edilov’s camp.
Edilov (16-4) was scheduled to make his UFC debut against Francimar Barroso during the Fight Pass portion of the card. The 24-year-old fought on the Russian regional circuit for his entire career and was expected to make his first professional appearance on American soil. Edilov fought for the likes of M-1 Global, ACB, Fight Nights and most recently for World Fighting Championship Akhmat, the Chechen promotion funded by the republic’s ruler Ramzan Kadyrov. Edilov is a relative of the Chechen president.
‘The Chechen Lion’ was one of BE’s Top 10 scouted prospects. He has only gone the distance twice in his MMA career and compiled seven submissions and eight knockouts during that five-year span.
The UFC is yet to confirm the injury.
UFC Fight Night 81 takes place at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts and features a bantamweight title bout between T.J. Dillashaw and Dominick Cruz in the main event.
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