A potentially explosive clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor has been avoided after the UFC removed the lightweight champion's cousin Umar's fight from the UFC 257 card.
The younger Nurmagomedov will now take on Sergey Morozov three days earlier on January 20 in Abu Dhabi. The 25-year-old will make his UFC debut at the fourth time of asking after three previous attempts were cancelled.
And with the likelihood of his older cousin being in attendance at the Emirates Arena where McGregor will take on Dustin Poirier, the UFC appears to be taking no chances.
Their 155lb champion will hold talks with president Dana White this week to establish whether he can be convinced to return for a 30th fight in mixed martial arts.
Read more on mirror.co.uk