Jared Gordon gets new opponent: Brother of UFC welterweight answers short-notice call

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 11: Jared Gordon looks on against Mark Madsen of Denmark in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Jared Gordon will face a promotional newcomer with a familiar surname Saturday at UFC Fight Night 251.

With Kaue Fernandes out due to visa issues, in steps Uzbekistan’s Mashrabjon Ruziboev on days notice to save the lightweight fight at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, the promotion announced Tuesday.

Ruziboev (20-4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is the younger brother of UFC welterweight Nursultan Ruziboev. The two are longtime training partners with Nursulton signing Mashrabjon’s praises in a 2024 interview with MMA Junkie.

Ruziboev, , enters his UFC debut on a seven-fight winning streak and with an Instagram following of over 100,000. Seventeen of his 20 professional wins have come inside the distance with 17 knockouts and three submissions.

Gordon, 36, enters his 16th UFC battle in an effort to bounce back from a split decision loss to Nasrat Haqparast in June. The defeat moved him to 3-3 with one no contest in his most recent seven outings.

With the change, the UFC Fight Night 251 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)