UFC 334 loses lightweight bout after both fighters suffer injuries

A lightweight matchup at UFC 334 has been cancelled after both fighters withdrew due to separate injuries.

Nazim Sadykhov and Jefferson Nascimento were scheduled to compete on November 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, but the bout fell apart when Nascimento withdrew first. Sadykhov then revealed he had also sustained an injury early in training camp and decided to pull out rather than seek a replacement opponent.

Sadykhov disclosed the news via Instagram, explaining that he had been managing the injury for over five weeks and initially planned to compete through it. Once his opponent withdrew, he and his team agreed to notify the UFC that they would not accept a replacement. The fighter reassured fans that surgery and prolonged recovery will not be necessary, and he expects to return soon.

Sadykhov (11–3–1) started his UFC career with five consecutive victories before suffering back-to-back technical knockout losses. Nascimento (13–1) experienced his first professional defeat in his UFC debut in June, making this cancelled matchup a significant setback for both prospects in the lightweight division.