UFC 334 Loses Lightweight Bout After Double Withdrawal
The Nazim Sadykhov vs Jefferson Nascimento lightweight bout is off UFC 334's MSG card entirely after both fighters withdrew, with Sadykhov revealing he has been managing camp injuries for over five weeks.
UFC 334 has lost a lightweight bout a little over a month out from the promotion's marquee Madison Square Garden card, with the Jefferson Nascimento vs Nazim Sadykhov matchup scrapped entirely after both men withdrew. Nascimento pulled out first, and Sadykhov then announced Thursday that he had declined to stay on the November 14 card against a replacement opponent. In an Instagram post, the 11-3-1 lightweight revealed he suffered injuries in the opening days of camp and had been managing them for more than five weeks, saying he and his team asked the UFC not to find him a new opponent once Nascimento withdrew. He added that he will not need surgery and plans to return as soon as possible. The news thins a card headlined by two title fights — Ciryl Gane vs Josh Hokit for the heavyweight belt and Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes for the women's bantamweight crown. Sadykhov is riding back-to-back knockout losses and badly needs a reset, while Nascimento tasted defeat for the first time as a professional in his June UFC debut. Both men will now wait for a fresh booking, each needing a win to steady their momentum.