When Rafael Fiziev was forced to leave UFC 272 after being infected with COVID-19, it turned out for a moment that the long-awaited showdown between Islam Mahachev and Rafael dos Agnos could indeed happen.
As it turned out, less than 24 hours later Renato Moikano came in as Fiziev’s deputy.
UFC President Dana White revealed on Wednesday that she believes a deal has been made for Mahachev to take the fight – until he receives word that the Dagestani in the lightweight category has turned down the opportunity.
“Pretty close – I thought we did,” White told Makhachev’s Barstool Sports against Dos Agnos. “When I went to bed one night, I thought it was over. I woke up the next morning and realized that they had refused him. Islam [turned it down]. No idea [why]”
According to White, as soon as Fiziev was forced to pull out the card, UFC matchmakers began looking for potential replacements as many volunteers tried to land the battle.
Mahachev was among the first people to drop his name as a possible opponent after being tied with dos Agnos in two separate cases in 2020 and 2021. He was just days away from the UFC Vegas 49 victory over Bobby Green, which was a duel , who came together with a quick save after Beneil Dariush had to leave the fray.
Mahachev even went back and forth with dos Agnos on social media for the proposed match. However, White said something must have changed because he did not accept the battle in the end.
“The best battle we could do would be him and Islam. “The RDA and Islam,” White said. “Islam rejects battle. What is the best battle you can do? [Renato] Moikano. ”
Moicano accepted the battle, knowing he would have to fly nearly 20 hours from his home in Brazil back to the United States, while reducing his weight to 160 pounds in five rounds of fighting in the best category. He actually arrived in Las Vegas on Wednesday afternoon and will now face Dos Agnos in the UFC 272 co-main event.
As for Makhachev, although he competed less than a week ago, White still expected him to take the battle with dos Anjos, although apparently this did not happen.
While all signs previously pointed to Makhachev getting a title shot against the winner of the upcoming lightweight champion Charles Oliveira and Justin Gage in UFC 274, it looks like there will be more work now before he becomes the next No. 1 contender for the division. .
“He’s obviously doing very well,” White told Makhachev. “I love the battle with Dariusz.
“Since he rejected this battle, we will remake the battle with Dariusz. We will continue this battle. I’m dying to see this battle. It goes through Dariusz, very interesting. ”
On Wednesday afternoon, Mahachev appeared to respond to White’s comments about his place in the division.
I don’t care who you put in front of me, I’ll defeat this whole division
– Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) March 3, 2022