The lightweight bout between Rafael dos Anjos and Islam Makhachev is on again.
The pair were originally expected to compete on Fight Island this weekend at UFC 254, with former 155lb champ RDA representing Makhachev’s biggest test to date. Unfortunately, the Brazilian was forced out of the fight due to COVID-19. With no alternate opponent for Makhachev, the bout was removed from the card entirely.
However, the promotion has rebooked the match-up, which will now take place on November 14, at a Fight Night card to be held at the UFC Apex.
MMA DNA was first to report the news.
dos Anjos (29-13) will be making his return to the weight class he once ruled in the fight. The ex-champ is just 1-4 in his last five, the lone win coming against Kevin Lee. That victory was sandwiched between losses to Colby Covington (for interim gold) and Kamaru Usman, and top contenders Leon Edwards and Michael Chiesa.
All four losses went the distance.
Makhachev (18-1) currently sits on a six-fight win streak, most recently securing a victory against Davi Ramos. That was over a year ago, however, as the teammate of Khabib Nurmagomedov has yet to fight during the coronavirus pandemic.
The UFC’s November 14 card, expected to be UFC Fight Night 183, will go down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card’s current line-up has been reported is as follows:
Islam Makhachev vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Louis Smolka vs. José Alberto Quiñónez
Cory McKenna vs. Kay Hansen
Lívia Renata Souza vs. Kanako Murata
Antonio Arroyo vs. Andreas Michailidis
Saparbek Safarov vs. Julian Marquez
Ashley Yoder vs. Miranda Granger
Jeff Molina vs. Zarrukh Adashev
Gabriel Benitez vs Justin Jaynes
Don’Tale Mayes vs. Roque Martinez
Alex Morono vs. Rhys McKee
Tony Gravely vs. Geraldo de Freitas
