UFC Fight Night 266 Undergoes Prelim Change Just Before Weigh-Ins
UFC Fight Night 266 has experienced a significant last-minute alteration to its lineup just before the weigh-ins. Said Nurmagomedov has withdrawn from his bantamweight prelim bout against Javid Basharat. Fortunately, Basharat will still compete as Gianni Vazquez steps in as a replacement.
Details of the Prelim Change
The UFC officially announced the change, although the reasons for Nurmagomedov’s exit remain unclear. Gianni Vazquez has a professional record of 13 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw (13-4-1 MMA) and will make his UFC debut on very short notice. The 31-year-old fighter has primarily competed in the flyweight division, but he has also fought successfully at bantamweight, featherweight, and lightweight throughout his career.
Vazquez’s Track Record
- Current five-fight winning streak
- Last victory: second-round stoppage in October 2023
Javid Basharat, holding a record of 14 wins and 2 losses (14-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC), is eager to make the most of this opportunity. After experiencing back-to-back losses and a no contest, he looks to regain his footing. His most recent victory occurred in January 2023 against Mateus Mendonca, which he secured by unanimous decision.
UFC Fight Night 266 Updated Lineup
Here are the confirmed matchups for the event:
- Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira
- Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
- Jailton Almeida vs. Rizvan Kuniev
- Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
- Farid Basharat vs. Jean Matsumoto
- Dustin Jacoby vs. Julius Walker
- Daniil Donchenko vs. Alex Morono
- Bruna Brasil vs. Ketlen Souza
- Javid Basharat vs. Gianni Vazquez
- Wang Cong vs. Eduarda Moura
- Muin Gafurov vs. Jakub Wiklacz
- Priscila Cachoeira vs. Klaudia Sygula
This lineup adjustment highlights the unpredictable nature of fight promotions and the resilience of fighters stepping up amid challenges. UFC Fight Night 266 is anticipated to deliver exciting bouts, featuring both seasoned competitors and newcomers alike.
