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Devonte Smith didn’t have to wait long to find a new opponent for his long-awaited return to the octagon.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that Smith will now meet Justin Jaynes at UFC Vegas 18 this Saturday at the APEX. Jaynes first announced his short-notice booking Monday on Instagram.
Jaynes is replacing Alex da Silva who was forced to withdraw from the lightweight matchup due to a knee injury.
Smith will look to get back on track in his first fight since his UFC 241 knockout loss to then promotional newcomer Khama Worthy in August 2019. “King Kage” has been recovering from an achilles injury that required surgery and a long rehabilitation.
Ottman Azaitar Cut from UFC for COVID Protocol Violation
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 12: Ottman Azaitar of Germany prepares to fight Khama Worthy in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 12, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Undefeated lightweight
Ottman Azaitar has just been released from the UFC immediately following a violation of anti-COVID protocols. MMAJunkie reporter
Farah Hannoun dropped the story earlier today. Azaitar and his team reportedly removed their safety wristbands and supplied them to currently unknown parties, allowing the latter to enter the safe zone. The incident, however, was caught on camera and as a result Azaitar has been released from the company.
Ottman Azaitar Released by UFC For Violating Safety Protocols
Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images
Ottman Azaitar is not only off of tomorrow night’s UFC 257 card, he has also been cut from the promotion altogether.
Earlier today during the UFC 257 weigh-ins, it was revealed that Ottman Azaitar failed to weigh in. As a result, his bout against Matt Frevola was pulled from the card. It has now been revealed that Azaitar violated safety protocols and has subsequently been released from the UFC.
As reported by Farrah Hannoun of MMA Junkie, Azaitar and his team cut their wristbands and handed them off to individuals who were outside of the safe zone, who were then snuck past security members. The entire ordeal was caught on camera. You can view Dana White‘s full account of the events that led to Azaitar’s release here. As of this writing, there has been no comment from Azaitar or his team.
UFC 257: Frevola vs Azaitar Picks and Predictions
Jan 23, 2021 |
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports
Ottman Azaitar is 13-0 in his MMA career, with 12 of those wins coming via stoppage including 10 in the first round. He is a -168 favorite against Matt Frevola at UFC 257 on Saturday.
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports
Editor s note: This fight has been removed from the UFC 257 card after Azaitar was cut from the promotion following a
recent violation of the health and safety protocols” put in place to combat COVID-19. Frevola will instead face Arman Tsarukyan on the preliminary card after Tsarukyan s previously scheduled opponent Nasrat Haqparast dropped out due to illness.