Rafael dos Anjos and Islam Makhachev have been scheduled to fight many times in the past and things seemed set for them to meet at UFC 272. Rafael Fiziev was out of the fight and dos Anjos needed someone to step in and replace him.

Islam Makhachev had expressed interest in the fight on Twitter and things seemed to be moving in the right direction. It was later announced by UFC President, Dana White that the fight would not be happening.

“Pretty close – I thought we had it done,” White told Barstool Sports of Makhachev vs. dos Anjos. “When I went to bed one of the nights, I thought it was done. Woke up the next morning and found out they turned it down. Islam [turned it down]. No clue [why].”

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Rafael dos Anjos later reacted to the news and it was clear the UFC lightweight was not happy. The Brazilian spoke with AG Fight and gave his take on the fight falling apart.

“I’d rather not even say that guy’s name. What he did was really disrespectful. He talked so much on the internet, he said he wanted the fight at a heavier weight class. I was at that weight, I was ready to fight. He ran way. He doesn’t even deserve to have people talking about him. I respect Moicano. He showed up and took the fight.”

Rafael dos Anjos will be taking on Renato Moicano in the co-main event of UFC 272 on Saturday. The fight is scheduled for five rounds and will be taking place at a 160-pound catchweight.