Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The fight between Makhachev and dos Anjos has fallen apart for the second time.
Highly touted Dagestani fighter Islam Makhachev’s terrible 2020 continues with yet another cancelled bout. This time it’s his UFC Vegas 14 main event against Rafael dos Anjos that was set to go down next week, November 14th, that has been scuttled.
The news was first reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. No reason has been given for the last minute cancellation, and the UFC is currently looking for a replacement fighter to face dos Anjos, who is making his return to the 155 pound division after a four year run at welterweight that saw him go 4-4.
Breaking: Islam Makhachev (@MAKHACHEVMMA) out of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event, per sources. UFC looking for a short-notice replacement to face Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) on Saturday.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 8, 2020
I wish @MAKHACHEVMMA a speed recovery. Looking for a new partner to dance. Looks like @MikeChandlerMMA is ready to go. Your move!
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) November 9, 2020
Dos Anjos is clearly angling to take on Michael Chandler, which would position him right back up at the top of the 155 pound division with a win. Chandler is currently being targeted for a Tony Ferguson fight by the UFC, but that has proven to be somewhat difficult to sign. So who knows if dos Anjos vs. Chandler is a realistic possibility.
This is the second time Makhachev vs. dos Anjos has been undone. The two were originally set to scrap at UFC 254 on the Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje undercard, but a positive COVID-19 test for dos Anjos wrecked those plans. For weeks reporters hounded UFC president Dana White regarding a replacement which never came.
Before that, a scheduled April bout against Alexander Hernandez was also cancelled due to the initial worldwide COVID-19 lockdowns.
More news on this story as it’s available.