Aliaskhab Khizriev out of UFC Vegas 35 fight with Alessio Di Chirico

Undefeated middleweight Aliaskhab Khizriev’s UFC debut will have to wait once again.

Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that an undisclosed injury has forced Khizriev out of his scheduled matchup with Alessio Di Chirico at UFC Vegas 35. The event takes place Aug. 28 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas.

Per sources, the promotion is actively seeking out a replacement opponent for Di Chirico.

Khizriev (13-0) earned a UFC contract after a first-round submission win over Henrique Shiguemoto on Dana White’s Contender Series this past September. “The Black Wolf” was set to make his octagon debut in February before Wellington Turman was forced to withdraw from the bout. Two months later, the 30-year-old was scheduled to face Kyle Daukaus at UFC Vegas 23 before the fight was scrapped days before the event due to COVID-19 protocols.

Di Chirico hopes to remain on the card to build upon the momentum of his first-round KO win over Joaquin Buckley in January at UFC Fight Island 7, which snapped a three-fight losing streak.