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Facing overweight opponent
Zahabi's Saturday fight against Drako Rodriguez will go ahead as scheduled despite Rodriguez missing weight, John Morgan of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Rodriguez came in 4.5 pounds above the bantamweight limit. He'll be forced to surrender 30 percent of his purse as a result.
Rodriguez came in 4.5 pounds above the bantamweight limit. He'll be forced to surrender 30 percent of his purse as a result.
Fight with Rodriguez rebooked
Zahabi (illness) is scheduled to face Drako Rodriguez in a bantamweight fight at the UFC's Feb. 20 event, Sergio Pineiro of BloodyCanvas.net reports.
ANALYSIS
Zahabi (7-2-0) and Rodriguez (7-1-0) were initially slated to face one another Dec. 17 in Las Vegas, but the bout was cancelled after the former tested positive for COVID-19. The 33-year-old has now apparently made a full recovery from the virus, so he'll now make his return to the Octagon in February for what will be his first fight since suffering a unanimous-decision loss to Vince Morales in May 2019.
Zahabi (7-2-0) and Rodriguez (7-1-0) were initially slated to face one another Dec. 17 in Las Vegas, but the bout was cancelled after the former tested positive for COVID-19. The 33-year-old has now apparently made a full recovery from the virus, so he'll now make his return to the Octagon in February for what will be his first fight since suffering a unanimous-decision loss to Vince Morales in May 2019.
Tests positive for COVID-19
Zahabi announced on his personal Twitter feed Thursday that he tested positive for COVID-19 and won't face Drako Rodriguez on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Zahabi was attempting to snap a two-fight losing streak Saturday, but he was unable to travel to Las Vegas after testing positive for COVID-19. The promotion won't find another opponent for Rodriguez on short notice, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports. It's unclear when Zahabi could return to the Octagon.
Zahabi was attempting to snap a two-fight losing streak Saturday, but he was unable to travel to Las Vegas after testing positive for COVID-19. The promotion won't find another opponent for Rodriguez on short notice, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports. It's unclear when Zahabi could return to the Octagon.
Pair against debutant
Zahabi will face Drako Rodriguez on Dec. 19, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Zahabi won his first seven fights as a professional, including one with the UFC, but he's now riding a two-fight losing streak. His most recent loss came against Vince Morales via unanimous decision back in May of 2019. Rodriguez, who owns a 7-1 record as a professional, will be making his UFC debut after impressing in the Contender Series.
Zahabi won his first seven fights as a professional, including one with the UFC, but he's now riding a two-fight losing streak. His most recent loss came against Vince Morales via unanimous decision back in May of 2019. Rodriguez, who owns a 7-1 record as a professional, will be making his UFC debut after impressing in the Contender Series.
Can't get on track in Ottawa
Zahabi lost to Vince Morales via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Ottawa.
ANALYSIS
What a disaster. Zahabi was given a prime opportunity to make a name for himself in his native country and he no-showed. It's really difficult to land just 29 total strikes over the course of a 15-minute bout, but Zahabi managed to pull it off on Saturday. The 31-year-old entered the UFC as a high-level prospect in February 2017 and he has gone 1-2 since. It's a disappointing turn of events for the younger brother of TriStar head Firas Zahabi.
What a disaster. Zahabi was given a prime opportunity to make a name for himself in his native country and he no-showed. It's really difficult to land just 29 total strikes over the course of a 15-minute bout, but Zahabi managed to pull it off on Saturday. The 31-year-old entered the UFC as a high-level prospect in February 2017 and he has gone 1-2 since. It's a disappointing turn of events for the younger brother of TriStar head Firas Zahabi.