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 fan base online. Rakhmonov himself also liked the idea, as he agreed to the bout on Twitter.
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Bryan Barberena: Request to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov shut down despite mutual interest – MMA Junkie