Erik Silva’s attempt to redeem himself after a failed promotional debut quickly turned into a nightmare during the UFC Fight Night 237 card opener Saturday in Mexico City.
The bout only lasted 44 seconds as Silva (9-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) suffered an apparent left leg injury as he stepped backward during his featherweight prelim against Muhammad Naimov (11-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC).
A replay appeared to show an abnormal shift in the knee area. Silva clinched Naimov initially, but eventually fell to the canvas and covered up as Naimov threw a couple punches. Referee Fernando Salas recognized something was not right and waved off the fight.
Our first fight ends early
This one ends in the first after an apparent injury to Erik Silva #UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/6pdGr5p96I
— UFC (@ufc) February 25, 2024
Silva, 36, is still is search of his first UFC win. He lost his debut by third-round submission against TJ Brown in December 2022.
Naimov, 29, remains unbeaten in the UFC with wins over Silva, Nathaniel Wood and Jamie Mullarkey.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 237.
