Makhachev vs. Dos Anjos to headline UFC on ESPN+ 41

Islam Makhachev vs. Rafael Dos Anjos – which was originally scheduled for the undercard of Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje at UFC 254 – was cancelled after Dos Anjos tested positive for COVID-19.

The fight has now officially been rebooked, this time as a five-round main event for UFC on ESPN+ 41 at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, much to the delight of fans eager to see Makhachev fight in a five-round fight for the first time in his career.

This will be the first fight at lightweight for the former lightweight champion Dos Anjos since losing to Tony Ferguson in late 2016. Dos Anjos has fought at welterweight ever since, going 4-4 in these fights.

This will be by far the biggest challenge – as well as the biggest name – Makhachev has faced in his career.