Russian welterweight Azamat Murzakanov has fallen ill with pneumonia and dropped out of the lineup for UFC on ESPN 52, where he was scheduled to fight American Khalil Rountree on Dec. 2.
Rountree’s new opponent is his compatriot Anthony Smith, and the bout has been moved up a week to become the second major event of UFC Fight Night 233, which takes place Dec. 9 in Las Vegas.
The reshuffle was announced by the head of the UFC, Dana White.
Khalil Rountree, 33, is riding a four-fight win streak, finishing Chris Dakas by first-round technical knockout in his last fight.
Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Anthony Smith got his career back on track in August after two straight losses, defeating Ryan Spann by split decision. Prior to that, the 35-year-old American lost by technical knockout to Magomed Ankalaev and unanimous decision to Johnnie Walker.
Anthony Smith and Khalil Rountree are currently ranked eighth and eleventh in the UFC’s welterweight division rankings, respectively.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/33240-entoni-smit-zamenit-azamata-murzakanova-v-boyu-s-khalilom-runtri.html?rand=19907
