UFC featherweight number one contender pulls out of another fight
Movsar Evloev, who was scheduled to fight Aaron Pico on July 26, has suffered an injury during his training camp in Thailand.
Bad news for the UFC featherweight division. Movsar Evloev (19-0), the current number one contender and long-rumored challenger for Ilia Topuria, was set to return to the Octagon on July 26 in Abu Dhabi to face Aaron Pico. However, the Russian fighter is now sidelined due to injury.
According to multiple reports, Evloev sustained the injury during his training camp in Thailand and is dealing with several health issues. Had he won this bout, it could have positioned him for a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski—a matchup that had already started gaining traction after the Australian defeated Diego Lopes at UFC 314.
Worrying pattern for Evloev
Movsar made his UFC debut in 2019 with a win over Seung Woo Choi by decision, the first of many judge-favored outcomes in his undefeated run with the promotion. With a flawless record and a solid résumé, Evloev has long been seen as a serious prospect in the featherweight division. However, staying active inside the cage has been a constant challenge.
The numbers are concerning: Evloev has signed to fight in the UFC on 20 occasions, but has only managed to compete 11 times. The primary reason? Injuries. He has been forced to withdraw from three fights himself, while eight others were canceled due to opponents testing positive for COVID or suffering injuries. It’s a pattern that has undeniably hindered the Russian’s rise.
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