Informed sources close to the situation reported on the organization of the lightweight bout.
Said Nurmagomedov, 31, had his four-fight win streak snapped in March of this year, losing by unanimous decision to Jonathan Martinez. The Russian was scheduled to fight Kyler Phillips in August, but dropped out of the UFC on ESPN 50 event for unknown reasons.
Muin Gafurov, 27, had a disappointing debut under the banner of the world’s strongest league in June, losing by unanimous decision to John Castaneda.
Recall that the main event of UFC 294 will be a lightweight title fight between Russian Islam Makhachev and Brazilian Charles Oliveira.