Makhmud Muradov Withdraws from UFC 301 Bout vs. Michel Pereira

Makhmud Muradov has withdrawn from a proposed middleweight booking against Michel Pereira at UFC 301.

The 34-year-old Uzbekistan native announced the news in a post on social media.

“In 20 days, for the second time, an infection emerged that needed to be removed, and my team and I decided to cancel the fight,” Muradov wrote on Instagram (via translated text). “…We will be back soon.”

UFC 301 takes place on May 4 at Rio Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is headlined by a flyweight championship clash between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg. It is unclear if Pereira will remain on the card against a replacement opponent. Pereira va. Muradov was slated for the pay-per-view portion of the event.

Muradov has won just once in his last four Octagon appearances. His last outing against Aliaskab Khizriev ended via no contest in just 11 seconds when Muradov was unable to continue following an accidental eye poke from his opponent at UFC Fight Night 235 on Feb. 3. “Mach” is 4-2 during his tenure with the Las Vegas-based promotion overall.