Perhaps the only fight as cursed as Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson is that of Yair Rodriguez vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov.
Following the premiere of this season’s Contender Series, UFC President Dana White confirmed an initial report by melinio.com that Rodriguez was out of his planned bout with Magomedsharipov.
“He had a high ankle sprain and a fracture. So he’s out. We’re looking for a replacement.” White confirmed.
The bout was supposed to take place later this month as part of the UFC Vegas 8 card on August 29.
This is far from the first time Rodriguez vs. Magomedsharipov has fallen through. Back in 2018, the promotion actually released the Mexican featherweight after White alleged he refused to take the fight. While that all turned out to be a bit of bargaining via the media, when the actual fight was booked for September of that year, Rodriguez pulled out anyway due to injury.
Since then, Rodriguez (13-2, 1NC) pulled off the comeback of the decade against The Korean Zombie at UFC Denver in November 2018, then fought Jeremy Stephens twice — with the first fight ending in a no contest (accidental eye poke) before Rodriguez won a unanimous decision in the second bout.
That’s just three fights since 2017 for “El Pantera,” who has struggled to make it to the octagon with any sort of regularity.
