Bryan Barberena’s name is not on the table for a potential fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Barberena (18-9 MMA, 9-7 UFC) posted on Instagram on Friday to say his request to step in on short notice to fight Rakhmonov (15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 217 on Jan. 14 was shut down.

Rakhmonov originally was scheduled to fight top contender Geoff Neal, but a Neal injury canceled the bout, it was reported Thursday. Barberena quickly campaigned for the bout and began to get support from the...

Continue Reading Bryan Barberena: Request to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov shut down despite mutual interest