Islam Makhachev Won’t Receive Replacement Opponent at UFC 254

Islam Makhachev will not compete at UFC 254.

The Dagestani lightweight was supposed to face Rafael dos Anjos in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 24, but dos Anjos withdrew from the bout after testing positive for COVID-19. UFC president Dana White revealed to Yahoo Sports on Wednesday that a replacement opponent was not found for Makhachev, and a subsequent release from the promotion regarding the event did not include the Eagles MMA representative. As a result, UFC 254 will move forward with a five-bout main card.

Makhachev is currently on a six-bout winning streak in UFC competition. He went 2-0 in 2019, posting decision triumphs against Davi Ramos and Arman Tsarukyan. A training partner of lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, the 29-year-old is 18-1 since beginning his professional career in 2010.

UFC 254 takes place at the Flash Forum and is headlined by a 155-pound title unification bout between Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje. The main card airs on pay-per-view via ESPN+ beginning at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.