Zarrukh Adashev in need of new UFC Fight Night opponent after Jeffrey Molina withdraws

The UFC’s return to “Fight Island” has lost another bout.

Jeffrey Molina has withdrawn from his scheduled UFC Fight Night bout Jan. 20 vs. Zarrukh Adashev. The promotion is seeking a replacement to keep Adashev (3-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) on the card, which will take place in Abu Dhabi.

Two people with knowledge of Molina’s withdrawal confirmed the news to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. TASS was first to report the news Tuesday, citing a positive COVID-19 test as the reason.

Molina (8-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is a member of Glory MMA and Fitness and was signed to the UFC after a unanimous decision win over Jacob Silva on Dana White’s Contender Series in August. He has won eight straight fights.

A former kickboxer, Adashev won three straight fights en route to his UFC signing in mid-2020. Adashev lost his UFC debut in June when he was brutally knocked out by Tyson Nam.

With the change, the UFC Fight Night lineup for Jan. 20 includes:

• Leon Edwards vs. TBD

• Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny

• Viviane Araujo vs. Roxanne Modafferi

• Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell

• Francisco Figueredo vs. Jerome Rivera

• Dean Barry vs. Mike Jackson

• Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera

• Matt Brown vs. Carlos Condit

• Zarrukh Adashev vs. TBA

• Lerone Murphy vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade

• Vinicius Moreira vs. Ike Villanueva

• Manon Fiorot v. Victoria Leonardo

• Mike Davis vs. Mason Jones

• Isi Fitikefu vs. Dalcha Lungiambula

List

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