There’s a new opponent for welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio, who’s eager to return after more than two years out of the Octagon.
MMA Fighting reports that China’s Li Jingliang has been chosen to replace Muslim Salikhov opposite the Argentinian at UFC Fight Island 7 on January 16th. Salikhov removed himself from the event after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Li (17-6) hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision loss to Neil Magny at UFC 248. “The Leech” was supposed to return to action against Dwight Grant at UFC 256, but Grant tested positive for COVID-19 and no replacement opponent was found.