With Yair Rodriguez injured, Brandon Davis is looking at a huge opportunity — and a huge challenge against Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC 228.
The fight that was off, then on, is now off again. Yair Rodriguez appears to be out of his UFC 228 bout, after briefly being cut from the UFC after reportedly turning down a fight with Zabit Magomedsharipov. While the issue was eventually worked out and the fight booked, injury has now seen him forced from the card. In his place, however, steps Brandon Davis, who has a huge opportunity ahead of him.
Davis (9-4) is the Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series prospect who bested the highly touted Austin Arnett on the show. He has gone 1-2 in his UFC run to date, earning a unanimous decision win against Steven ‘Ocho’ Peterson at UFC Austin. That win was sandwiched between losses to Kyle Bochniak and Enrique Barzola.
Davis announced the news on social media:
In case you haven't heard or seen. I'll be fighting Zabit next weekend in Dallas. Get your popcorn ready!#KillerB #UFC #UFC228 #MMA pic.twitter.com/bzyPfq5zSJ
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisUFC) August 29, 2018
Magomedsharipov (15–1) is currently one of the most feared fighters in the featherweight division. 3-0 in the UFC, all three bouts have won post-fight bonuses, with two Performance of the Night awards and a Fight of the Night. The Rodriguez fight was supposed to be a test and a step up for the Russian, but with the injury to Yair, it’s on the backburner for now.
UFC 228 takes place September 8 in Dallas, TX at the American Airlines Center. The welterweight title is on the line in the main event as Tyron Woodley faces Darren Till.
