UFC Qatar underwent a material lineup change after an undefeated Dana White’s Contender Series fighter was removed from the event, according to a September 30 report. The change followed an earlier UFC announcement that reportedly contained an error about the matchup. Journalist Marcel Dorff subsequently reported that Matthews would instead fight Tahir Abdullayev. The correction affects the event’s official bout listing and opponent assignments. The UFC’s final card should reflect the revised matchup rather than the incorrectly announced pairing.
A change to the UFC Qatar lineup is reportedly in the works, with Matthews now said to be facing Tahir Abdullayev. The matchup has not been officially confirmed by the promotion.
According to a September 30 report, an undefeated Dana White's Contender Series fighter was removed from the card, a development that came after an earlier UFC announcement that reportedly contained an error about the pairing. Journalist Marcel Dorff then reported that Matthews would instead meet Abdullayev. If accurate, the revised bout would replace the incorrectly announced matchup in the event's listing and opponent assignments.
Because the information has not been confirmed, the final UFC Qatar bout order could still change.
Abdullayev's profile
Tahir Abdullayev, nicknamed "Tank," is a 29-year-old Azerbaijani fighter who trains out of Phuket Top Team. He carries a record of 20-3-0 and fights from an orthodox stance. He stands five-foot-eight, or 173 cm, and has a 73-inch, 185 cm reach.
Why it matters
- The reported change would alter the official bout listing for UFC Qatar, with the final card expected to reflect the revised pairing if the report holds.
- Abdullayev would bring a 20-3-0 record into the matchup, a sizable body of work for an opponent in a card reshuffle.
- The episode underlines how fluid event lineups can be, particularly when an announcement is followed by a correction.
Further clarification from the UFC would settle which matchup appears on the final card.
