Islam Makhachev will seemingly have to fight one more time before a UFC title shot after he allegedly flip-flopped on a short notice replacement fight on Saturday.
After Rafael dos Anjos lost his original opponent for UFC 272, Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) was one of the fighters who offered his services. The surging lightweight contender is fresh off a main event win over Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night 202 this past weekend, but put his hand up to fight dos Anjos in a bout that has been canceled three times before.
Dos Anjos was all in on the situation, even offered to move up to welterweight to alleviate pressure off Makhachev for a big weight cut. The momentum died there, though, because shortly thereafter it was confirmed Renato Moicano would fight dos Anjos at UFC 272. The former UFC champ and Makhachev subsequently blamed each other for it failing to materialize.