Islam Makhachev out of UFC Fight Night 182, cites injury

The highly anticipated matchup between Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos has fallen apart yet again.

While the two were slated to headline UFC Fight Night 182 at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas this coming Saturday, Makhachev has withdrawn from the fight, citing an undisclosed injury.

The UFC is currently looking for a short-notice replacement to fight Dos Anjos, who is – of course – always game, and suggested Michael Chandler as a potential opponent.

This will be Dos Anjos’ first fight at 155lbs since losing to Tony Ferguson back in 2016. The former lightweight champion has since only fought at welterweight, with mixed results; having had a 4-4 record overall and losing four of his last five fights.

This is the second time that Dos Anjos vs. Makhachev has been cancelled. The two were originally scheduled to fight on the undercard of Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje at UFC 254, but Dos Anjos tested positive for COVID-19.