Max Holloway vs Yair Rodriguez is off as Holloway pulls out due to injury


Max Holloway vs Yair Rodriguez is off as Holloway pulls out due to injury

Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez

Max Holloway vs Yair Rodriguez which was scheduled to headline UFC on ESPN 26 on the 17th of July, later this year, has been called off. Holloway withdrew due to an undisclosed injury. The news was first reported by ESPN, who had learned from Carlos Contreras Legaspi. But, the UFC is believed to reschedule the fight rather than finding a replacement for Holloway.

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The event is co-headlined by Islam Makhachev vs Thiago Moises, and the lightweight bout might probably become the headliner. Fight fans will have to wait before the self-proclaimed best boxer, the number one ranked featherweight – Max Holloway returns to action.

Will a replacement be named for Max Holloway?

Holloway is coming off a massive dominating victory against Calvin Kattar, earlier this year in 2021. He landed more than 440 strikes in one of the most one-sided contests in UFC history. Holloway won the match via. unanimous decision.

Yair Rodriguez, on the other hand, hasn’t fought in almost 2 years. His last fight was a rematch against Jeremy Stephens in October 2019, which he won via. unanimous decision. However, his strong performances have kept him inside the top 5 of the featherweight rankings.

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Giga Chikadze
Giga Chikadze

There have been a few replacement options lined up for Holloway. Up and coming featherweight Giga Chikadze from Georgia who has always expressed his desire to fight the top 5 in the featherweight division, is believed to be the frontrunner to replace Holloway.

Another fighter being considered is Edson Barbosa. Barbosa is coming off a bizarre knockout win over Shane Burgos at UFC 262. He has found his winning momentum of late, and might probably replace the Hawaiian.

Will the UFC reschedule Max Holloway vs Yair Rodriguez or will a replacement fighter be named?

Also Read: Demian Maia says he “would be honored to have his last fight against the ‘Stockton Slugger’ Nate Diaz

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