BREAKING: Ilia Topuria in search of new opponent for UFC 270

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One of the most anticipated matchups of UFC 270, a featherweight bout between undefeated prospects Movsar Evloev and Ilia Topuria, has reportedly taken a hit.

According to Topuria himself, Evloev has withdrawn from the Janaury 22 contest for reasons yet to be publicised.

Bad news! @MovsarUFC is out. We already knew that this was gonna happen. @Dynamitedan808, are you up for a fight? Let me know ASAP and if you are down, hope to see you January 22. Let’s go!
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) January 11, 2022

“Bad news! [Movsar] is out” wrote the up and coming Topuria on his Twitter account.

“We already knew that this was gonna happen. [Dan Ige], are you up for a fight? Let me know ASAP and if you are down, hope to see you January 22. Let’s go!”

Despite losing his opponent, Topuria proved to be on the hunt for another, calling out #9 ranked featherweight Dan Ige.

While a fight with Ige would certainly sell well, BJPenndotcom’s Cole Shelton confirmed that the Hawaiian is unable to take the short notice opportunity.

“Dan Ige will NOT be stepping in to fight Ilia Topuria at #UFC270” Shelton stated.

“He says he’s legitimately minutes away from hopping on a plane to go to Hawaii with his wife and son to visit family and go back home.”

Ilia Topuria last competed at UFC 264 in July where he picked up a first-round KO of Ryan Hall. At this moment, it’s unclear whether he’ll compete on the January 22 pay-per-view card.

UFC 270 will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight featuring Francis Ngannou and Cyril Gane, live from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.