Islam Makhachev has called out Rafael Dos Anjos on Twitter, and both fighters have agreed to a short-notice bout at UFC 272 this weekend.
Fight fans around the world were disappointed when Rafael Dos Anjos’ original opponent, Rafael Fizeiv, was forced out of their UFC 272 match due to a positive COVID test. However, there could be a silver lining to the letdown, as Makhachev could potentially be filling in as a replacement.
Makhachev’s name was just in the headlines, as he fought Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night 202 just last weekend. That fight was also a short-notice match-up, except it was Green who was filling in as a replacement. Makhachev was victorious by TKO in the 1st round. If the UFC books the RDA fight, that will be just a 1-week turnaround for Makhachev. The pair have previously been set to fight 3 times in the past, with the face-off never coming to fruition.
The negotiations for this weekend began on Twitter when Makhachev tweeted to RDA, asking for a match at 170 lbs.,
170 ??? Let’s do it. We have unfinished business RDA @ufc @espnmma @bokamotoESPN @MMAjunkieJohn https://t.co/1y98cgmSbV
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 28, 2022
RDA responded asking to meet at 165 instead,
165lbs!! Division you guy created. I’m game. https://t.co/1HbCdw0dVi
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) February 28, 2022
At this point, Makhachev declined and said RDA was backing out,
You looking for the way out again? https://t.co/hWGMZpFeUQ
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 28, 2022
Then, RDA pointed it back to Makhachev,
No. Are you?!?! https://t.co/wOsMj4bU08
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) February 28, 2022
It seemed the two came to a stalemate, but then RDA came around,
@MAKHACHEVMMA 170lbs I’m in!! Let’s go!!! Don’t run!!
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) March 1, 2022
We should be hearing what the UFC plans to do in the next few days, but the Makhachev fight makes sense as a co-main event for the PPV.
UFC 272 streams on ESPN+ PPV this Saturday, March 5 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
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