UFC Signs Red-Hot Lightweight To Fight On Just 4-Days Notice (original) (raw)

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 24: Dana White speaks with the press following the event for Power Slap 2 - ... [+] Wolverine vs Bell on May 24, 2023, at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The UFC is all about giving fighters opportunities, and that’s especially the case when the promotion is looking for a replacement on short notice.

Mashrabjon Ruziboev will have his chance to make a splash on Saturday at the Apex in Las Vegas. Kauê Fernandes was scheduled to take on popular veteran Jared Gordon, but Fernandes withdrew.

The UFC wanted to keep the fight on the card and turned to Ruziboev, the brother of UFC welterweight Nursulton Ruziboev, to fill in. Mashrabjon is on a seven-fight win streak, though he hasn’t fought since October 2023.

The Uzbekistan native hasn’t lost a fight since December 2021, and during his streak, he’s proven to be a finisher. The 28-year-old lightweight has finished all but one of the opponents he’s faced during his win streak.

According to Sherdog, 16 of Ruziboev’s 19 pro victories have come by stoppage. Quite honestly, I’m fully expecting this fight to be one of Dana White’s “If You Don’t Know, Now You Know” picks for the event—if he even does that for Apex shows.

Gordon, 36, has only won one fight since August 2022, and that was a first-round KO of Mark Madsen in November 2023. Gordon seems to have love and respect in the UFC, but quite honestly, he might be on the cusp of retirement or release.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JUNE 21: Jared Gordon walks on stage during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial ... [+] weigh-in at Kingdom Arena on June 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

A loss could be devastating for his career. On paper, it looks like a fight Ruziboev should win, but he hasn’t faced the same level of competition that Gordon has endured through his 18-year MMA career.

While Ruziboev and Gordon aren’t the biggest names, these kinds of stories are sometimes as appealing as the ones that play out at the top of pay-per-view cards.

The upcoming card has a few intriguing fights besides the headliner, which will feature Jared Cannonier fighting to keep his spot in the UFC middleweight Top 10 against Gregory Rodrigues.

There are 13 fights, and at least five relatively new commodities in action who are definitely worth a look. The Bonfim brothers, Ismael and Gabriel, are both stellar fighters.

Elijah Smith was one of the best prospects to emerge from the most recent season of Dana White’s Contender Series. Jacqueline Cavalcanti is newly ranked and looking to make a statement against veteran Julia Avila.

Also, Jose Delgado wants to make a splash in his featherweight clash with Connor Matthews. Don’t let the lack of big names fool you—Saturday’s card could be special.

UFC Vegas 102 - Fight Card