A solution has quickly surfaced for one of UFC 320`s prominent fighters who recently lost their scheduled opponent.
This Saturday, the UFC returns to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to host its newest pay-per-view spectacle in the renowned `Sin City`.
The event features a compelling double header of championship bouts: Merab Dvalishvili will defend his title against Cory Sandhagen, leading up to the main event rematch between light heavyweight monarch Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira.
UFC 320 also boasts a roster of other significant contenders and rising stars, notably a middleweight powerhouse dubbed `mini Francis Ngannou` due to his national origin and devastating knockout power.
Ateba Gautier, who had planned to showcase his skills again on October 4, now finds himself without an adversary following Ozzy Diaz`s withdrawal.
Former Champion Petr Yan Proposes Teammate to Rescue Ateba Gautier`s UFC 320 Fight
Gautier was slated to top the preliminary card against Diaz, but an undisclosed `medical` condition compelled the American fighter to withdraw from Saturday`s pay-per-view event.
The intention is seemingly for `The Silent Assassin` to stay on the fight card, and a prospective replacement has seemingly volunteered to ensure this happens.
Shortly after Diaz`s withdrawal was announced, former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan utilized social media to suggest a short-notice bout between Gautier and his teammate, Ilyas Khamzin.
“My friend Ilyas Khamzin is currently in Vegas and prepared to step in for this fight,” Yan posted on X.
Khamzin, a Russian professional fighter with a 14-3 record, boasts three consecutive combat sports victories, including two in the Karate Combat Pit. Although the 34-year-old recently secured a first-round win, his proposed opponent in the Octagon is renowned for his rapid finishes.
In July, Gautier concluded his UFC 318 bout in a mere 70 seconds, registering his sixth first-round stoppage out of eight professional victories.
UFC 320 May Feature a Backup Fighter for the Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira Main Event
The UFC 320 card has quickly faced setbacks, and following an event in Perth where five fights were canceled, the promotion might consider having a backup for its main attraction.
Fortunately, UFC officials already have a fighter prepared and eager to weigh in on Friday, should any unforeseen issues arise with Ankalaev or Pereira.
Following his knockout victory over Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth, New Zealand`s Carlos Ulberg expressed his desire for the backup position to Hunter Campbell directly in the cage, later confirming his readiness to make weight twice within two weeks during his post-fight press conference.
“I spoke with Hunter immediately after the fight and requested to be flown to Vegas for UFC 320,” Ulberg stated.
“At that moment, I also declared, `I will be the backup for that fight.` My goal is to break records; this is what I aspire to achieve.”
Ulberg continued, “To my knowledge, no one has fought one weekend and then competed for a title the very next. That`s what I envision, and I believe it`s achievable.”
“I will get the job done,” he affirmed.
As of now, the UFC has not confirmed if they will accept Ulberg`s proposal.
