Al Iaquinta Set For New UFC 223 Main Event Opposite Khabib Nurmagomedov

Al Iaquinta is Khabib Nurmagomedov’s new opponent in the main event of UFC 223. The UFC has officially announced that Iaquinta will face Nurmagomedov in the main event as opposed to facing Paul Felder in the main card opening fight.

Nurmagomedov was originally set to face Tony Ferguson at the main event, but was pulled from the fight at the beginning of the week due to injury. Holloway stepped in on short notice but was deemed ineligible due to health concerns.

Nurmagomedov is eligible to win the UFC lightweight championship with a win. However, because Iaquinta weighed in at 155.2 pounds, he will not be eligible to win the title.

UFC 223 takes place on Saturday at in Brooklyn. The main card airs on PPV after preliminary fights on FOX Sports 1.