Umar Nurmagomedov will still be able to fight in front of cousin, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov when the promotion returns to Fight Island after all... just not at UFC 257.
The undefeated Russian featherweight is now slated to face Sergei Mozorov at UFC Fight Island 8 on Jan. 20. The pair were originally set to square off at UFC 257 — three days later from the new scheduled date, on the card headlined by the return of Conor McGregor. Nurmagomedov (12-0) seemingly confirmed the date change by posting the following on Instagram with the caption, "Eight days":
The promotion is yet to confirm the change and there isn't a reason being reported as to why the bout's date has been moved up. There is, however, speculation that the bout was removed from the same card as McGregor to avoid any possible confrontation between the McGregor and Nurmagomedov camps.
UFC Fight Island 8 emanates from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on January 20. The card is headlined by welterweight contenders Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny. Keep up with Fightful for all your fight night coverage.
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