Rafael dos Anjos is the latest fighter to be forced out of the UFC 267 event at UFC Fight Island. The Brazilian was supposed to face Russia's Islam Makhachev in an important lightweight matchup that help crown a new contender.
The bout has been supposed to happen for a while as both contenders have been circling each other for a long time. It seems many obstacles have stopped the pair from meeting in the cage.
Rafael dos Anjos was forced to remove himself from the matchup as he picked up an injury but didn't announce the specifics of it. The two were supped to meet two times this year and have also been scheduled to meet last year.
MMAJunkie reports that the UFC wants to keep Islam Makhachev on the card and hopes to find a replacement opponent by October 30. Islam Makhachev was hoping to face Rafael dos Anjos as that would help him become a true contender.
The two have been going back and forth on social media for a long time. This latest pull-out did nothing to help calm things down.
It is currently unclear who is the frontrunner to face Islam Makhachev, Rafael dos Anjos appeared to be the only top contender willing to face him. The bout is set to take place in a little over a month at UFC 267.
There is no timetable for the return of Rafael dos Anjos as the injury is still currently unknown. He moved back down to lightweight after spending a few years at welterweight.
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