Movsar Evloev has been pulled from UFC 248 for undisclosed reasons, replacing him against Jamall Emmers is Giga Chikadze.
MMA Junkie first reported the news and the bout is still slated for the preliminary card.
Emmers (17-4-0) is going to be making his UFC debut in this bout and does so on the strength of a four fight winning streak. Emmers also competed on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series Episode 11, suffering a second round knockout loss to Julian Erosa. Emmers has competed a total of twenty one times as a professional MMA fighter and eight of those bouts went the distance.
Chikadze (8-3-0) is undefeated thus far in UFC competition, having defeated Brandon Davis by split decision at UFC Fight Night Copenhagen. Chikadze also competed on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series Episode 10, suffering a third round submission loss to Austin Springer. Chikadze has competed ten times as a professional MMA fighter and just two of those bouts went the distance.
UFC 248 takes place on Saturday, March 7 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
