The UFC 307 card is stacked crackstreams, but the fight lineup is somewhat weakened by the loss of the Aljamaine Sterling vs. Movsar Evolov fight that was set to be the featured primary fight.
UFC 307 takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 5 at 10 pm ET
The former UFC men’s bantamweight champion has announced he has been forced to pull out of the highly anticipated featherweight clash due to an injury sustained while sparring. While Sterling was out, Ivlov took to social media to express his desire to remain on the high-profile card.
According to Yevlovev, he “worked really hard for this fight,” and doesn’t want all his efforts to be in vain.
Evloev, an undefeated featherweight competitor with title aspirations, had no shortage of opponents to replace Sterling and serve as his opponent.
Brazilian wrecking machine Jean Silva has indicated that he would relish the opportunity to step up at short notice to face Evlovev.
After welterweight veteran Gilbert Barnes pointed Silva to Evolve’s post at X, the streaking Brazilian responded, “Let’s go.”
Silva has won 11 consecutive fights, including her four under the UFC bout. He last fought on July 13 when he won a TKO against Drew Dober, thanks to a nasty cut over the American’s right eye.
If Silva gets the fight, it will be his 15th of the year and third in the past five months. Silver’s power and all-around skills could make him a formidable opponent for Evolve and anyone in the featherweight division.
Bryce Mitchell is another fighter who has thrown his hat in the ring to replace Sterling.
Thug Nasty is a submission specialist with one of the worst one-punch KOs you’ll see in the fight game at the hands of Josh Emmett in December 2023.
Mitchell says he is working hard to improve his striking defense and is keen to face Evloev, but not at short notice. After the last KO loss, Mitchell said he would need two months to prepare for Ivlovev, which would put him in a position to fight before Sterling returns from surgery.
Yar Rodriguez is the most logical replacement if he is healthy and ready. The former interim featherweight champion is currently ranked No. 4 at 145 pounds. He will present even bigger goals for Ivlovev.
However, considering matters have seemingly gone radio silent, Rodriguez may not be ready to step up on short notice.
Here’s what the UFC 307 card looks like.
Main Card
- (c) Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (Light Heavyweight Championship)
- (c) Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña (Women’s Bantamweight Championship)
- José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista (Bantamweight)
- Kayla Harrison vs. Ketlen Vieira (Bantamweight)
- Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley (Welterweight)
Preliminary Card
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo (Strawweight)
- Ihor Potieria vs. César Almeida (Middleweight)
- Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington (Strawweight)
- Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland (Middleweight)
- Ovince St. Preux vs. Ryan Spann (Light Heavyweight)
- Tim Means vs. Court McGee (Welterweight)