Tagir Ulanbekov has withdrawn from UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez II due to the death of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, replacing him against Aleksander Doskalchuk is Malcom Gordon.
Aaron Bronsteter of TSN first reported the opponent change, while Denis Geyko of RT first reported Ulanbekov’s withdrawal.
Doskalchuk (10-1-0) is going to be making his UFC debut in this bout and does so on the strength of an eight fight winning streak. Doskalchuk has suffered a single defeat as a professional MMA fighter and that came to Kevin Petshi at an ECSF event in 2014. Doskalchuk is a former M-1 Challenge Flyweight Champion, but he relinquished the title upon signing with the UFC earlier this year.
Gordon (12-3-0) is also making his UFC debut in this bout and does so while riding a four fight winning streak. Gordon is also a former TKO MMA Flyweight Champion, but he’ll most likely relinquish the title after signing with the UFC. Gordon has competed fifteen times as a professional MMA fighter and three of those bouts went the distance.
UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez II takes place on Saturday, July 18 from Fight Island in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi with Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on ESPN.
