Beneil Dariush pulls out of the Islam Makhachev fight scheduled for the main event of UFC Vegas 49 due to a leg injury. Dariush suffered an ankle injury during training just 10 days away from the fight, and much to the disappointment of fans had to pull out of arguably one of the most awaited fights of this year.
According to ESPN journalist Brett Okamoto, Dariush suffered an ankle injury while working on takedowns during training. “They were working on takedowns against one another. Lifted up his opponent, his foot got caught in the mat, and so he fell awkwardly with all of his weight, and his opponent’s weight.”
For everybody talking shit, bennys leg has a serious injury, there wasn’t anything he wanted more than this fight.
20 ufc fights, fought pretty much everyone, one of the most active in the roster. Wash your mouth whenever you talk about him. https://t.co/fe7Z1AppoR— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) February 17, 2022
While the extent to which Dariush is injured is not clear, according to Middleweight contender Marvin Vettori, Dariush has suffered a serious injury. This could also be the reason why the fight was not pushed to a later date, and the UFC is looking at a potential replacement for Islam Makhachev. Dariush was coming off a dominant win over Tony Ferguson and is currently on a seven-fight win streak. Dariush has looked incredible in his past few fights and is possibly just one big win away from landing a shot at the undisputed gold.
Bobby Greene offers to step up against Islam Makhachev on ten days’ notice
UFC veteran Bobby Green has offered to step up against Islam Makhachev on ten days’ notice and has given his nod for UFC Vegas 49. Green’s last appearance inside the Octagon came last weekend at UFC 271 where he took on an equally tough Nasrat Haqparast. Green won the fight via unanimous decision. He is riding on a two-fight win-streak.
What’s that you say? Bobby Green in his UFC main event? How about taking on Islam Makhachev in 10 days? Per sources, Green will replace the injured Beneil Dariush on Feb. 26 against a Makhachev. Not done yet, and likely a catch weight. But both have agreed to the fight. pic.twitter.com/3hpRYd8ZFt
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 17, 2022
Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev will enter the Octagon in the back of a first-round submission win over Dan Hooker. The #4 ranked lightweight contender, Makhachev is on a nine-fight win-streak and has looked absolutely dominant in all his previous outings. It will be interesting to see whether the pair will lock horns inside the Octagon someday.
UFC Vegas 49 goes down next weekend on February 26 in what promises to be an exciting night of fights.
