UFC Saudi Arabia loses major fight to drug violation, replacement announced on three days' notice

Shara Magomedov has a new opponent for UFC Saudi Arabia and will no longer face Joilton Lutterbach. Magomedov has now gone through three different bookings for the promotion's debut event in Saudi Arabia.

Lutterbach was forced to withdraw from the event after the anti-doping agency found a "substance" in his urine test. Taking to Instagram to announce the development, he wrote in a post:

"Sorry guys, the doping commission canceled my fight because of a substance found in my urine."

UFC CEO Dana White recently announced that Lutterbach will be replaced by Antonio Trocoli, who stepped in on three days' notice to face the highly touted Dagestani fighter. Trocoli has spent two years on the UFC roster and this will be his debut fight in the promotion.

Trocoli was initially slated to fight Ikram Aliskerov at last Saturday's UFC Vegas 93 event. However, that fight was scrapped after Aliskerov stepped in to replace Khamzat Chimaev in his fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia. Chimaev was reportedly forced to withdraw due to a debilitating illness.

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Ikram Aliskerov discusses Khabib Nurmagoemdov's advice ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia main event fight

Ikram Aliskerov recently opened up about his main event fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia this weekend. The Dagestani fighter also spoke about seeking UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov's advice ahead of his pivotal matchup.

As mentioned, Aliskerov was initially booked against Antonio Trocoli in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 93. However, Khamzat Chimaev's withdrawal from UFC Saudi Arabia's headliner saw Aliskerov step in on short notice to face Whittaker. Given that Aliskerov is gearing up for a fight against one of the best middleweights ever, it's no surprise that the 31-year-old sought advice from Nurmagomedov.

During an interview with Red Corner MMA, Aliskerov stated that called the former UFC lightweight champion soon after agreeing to fight Whittaker. While he kept mum about the exact advice given to him by the legendary grappler, he stated:

"He said, 'You can't miss these chances. You have to fly here and sweat for two to three days. There's also the adaptation. It's a 10-hour difference with Vegas here. It's easier to fly here from Miami when there's a seven-hour difference."

Aliskerov continued:

"We discussed [the fight], but I won't get into it. 'Pay attention because he's a striker. Be attentive, and everything will work out."