Dariush: Broken fibula forced withdrawal vs. Makhachev

Beneil Dariush suffered a broken fibula bone in training before he withdrew from his highly anticipated Feb. 26 main event spot versus Islam Makhachev, he told ESPN's Brett Okamoto.

The No. 3 lightweight contender doesn't yet know how long he'll remain sidelined, but the injury should keep him out for a while.

Dariush would've taken on Makhachev, the No. 4 lightweight contender, at UFC Fight Night, and the winner would've had an inside track at the next title shot. Charles Oliveira is slated to defend the 155-pound belt against Justin Gaethje in May.

Unranked veteran Bobby Green has agreed to replace Dariush and will face Makhachev at 160 pounds two weeks after defeating Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 271.

Dariush was set to put his seven-fight win streak on the line against Makhachev, who's won nine in a row and owns a 20-1 career record. The 32-year-old made his last trip to the Octagon in May 2021, earning a dominant decision victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 262. Dariush took the rest of the year off to welcome a newborn daughter.