Brandon Davis steps in to face Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC 228

UFC 228 recently lost out on one of it’s most highly anticipated matchups between super talented prospects. Fortunately, a replacement has been found.

Originally set to square off in Dallas on September 8 were two of the featherweight division’s most entertaining fighters. Those two being Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez (10-2) and Russia’s Zabit Magomedsharipov (15-1).

Unfortunately for Rodriguez, he was forced out of the bout due to injury.

FloCombat has now confirmed that stepping in for the 25-year old Rodriguez will be a fellow prospect in Mississippi’s Brandon Davis (9-4).

PhotoCred: MMAJunkie

The 28-year old Davis was a contract winner on season 1 episode 4 of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. He defeated future UFC fighter Austin Arnett by unanimous decision to get his shot in the big show.

Since then, Davis has struggled a bit as he’s gone 1-2 with his last fight coming in the form of a unanimous decision loss to Enrique Barzola and his UFC debut resulting in a loss to Kyle Bochniak. Bochniak happens to be the last man that Magomedsharipov defeated at UFC 223.

Sandwiched in between his losses is his win over the always exciting Steven Peterson.

For Magomedsharipov, he has made some noise immediately upon his arrival into the UFC with his incredibly flashy striking and sneaky submission game.

Currently 3-0 in the UFC, Magomedsharipov won his first two fights via submission with the first coming by rear naked choke over Mike Santiago and the second over Sheymon Moraes via anaconda choke.

His last fight is the one that has left a lasting impression.

At UFC 223 in April, Magomedsharipov and Bochniak went to war for three full rounds in just a wild shoot out of a fight. With Magomedsharipov showing more of the technique and precision when throwing, Bochniak was primarily the aggressor looking to constantly take Magomedsharipov’s head off.

How the two didn’t go down was anyone’s guess.

It sucks that the Rodriguez matchup will have to wait, but at least Davis was available to step in and give Magomedsharipov at the very least, one more challenge before 2019.

on 8/28/2018