UFC bantamweight Said Nurmagomedov will be replaced on hours’ notice by an MMA champ opposite Javid Basharat.
The UFC matchmakers are often busy not only putting fights together, but making sure they don’t fall apart. The same can be said ahead of UFC Vegas 113 this Saturday, featuring a bantamweight main event between Mario Bautista and Vinicius Oliveira.
UFC bantamweight Said Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, was supposed to return to the Octagon this Saturday at UFC Vegas 113. But just hours before the event, Nurmagomedov was forced to withdraw due to travel issues, canceling his scheduled bout against Javid Basharat.
Nurmagomedov vs. Basharat was a sneaky-good matchup on the UFC Vegas 113 card this weekend. Just hours before the event, the UFC matchmakers were able to find a short-notice replacement in an MMA champion set to make his promotional debut.
Gianni Vazquez set to make UFC debut on hours’ notice this Saturday vs. Javid Basharat
As reported on Thursday, UNF flyweight champion Gianni Vazquez (13-4-1) will fight Nurmagomedov on Saturday at UFC Vegas 113. Vazquez has been making his case for a shot in the UFC for months, even going so far as to reach out to UFC CEO Dana White and the matchmakers via social media posts.
Vazquez won the UNF flyweight championship by choking out Austin Russell last March. He’s won five fights in a row ahead of his upcoming showdown with Nurmagomedov.
Vazquez’s last loss came against UFC flyweight Edgar Chairez, in March 2023. Four of his last five wins have come by stoppage.
Nurmagomedov vs. Vazquez will take place at the bantamweight limit, and a catchweight was unnecessary, despite Vazquez’s short-notice endeavor. UFC Vegas 113 marks the promotion’s return to the Meta Apex after a nearly two-month hiatus from the venue.
Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov is looking to snap a two-fight skid after recent losses to Bryce Mitchell and Vinicius Oliveira.
What undercard fight are you most looking forward to at UFC Vegas 113? Let us know in the comments!