UFC lightweight prospect Nasrat Haqparast is in talks to compete at UFC Fight Night 187 on March 13th at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reports that Haqparast’s manager Ali Abdelaziz says Haqparast will step in to fight Dan Madge at the event. MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun also reports that MMA Junkie has also received confirmation that the fight is happening. Madge was scheduled to fight Guram Kutateladze, but Kutateladze was pulled from the card after suffering a torn meniscus.
Fight news soon. In 4 weeks I’m back inshAllah. Thank you to the #1 @AliAbdelaziz00 my brother you’re the best in the world ! Thank you @seanshelby the best matchmaker in the world. Time for a statement ! 🙂
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) February 10, 2021
Haqparast is looking to continue his momentum in the lightweight division. He was on a three-fight win streak before losing to Drew Dober by knockout at UFC 246 on January 18, 2020, at the T-mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. He rebounded from the loss by defeating Alexander Muñoz by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 174 on August 8, 2020, at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. A win over Madge will get Haqparast one step closer to getting a fight against a ranked lightweight.
Bonus anyone? https://t.co/qMWa8i2uTn
— Don Magic Man Madge UFC (@DonMadgeMMA) February 11, 2021
Madge will be making his return after a year away from competing in the UFC. His last fight was a victory over Faras Ziam by unanimous decision at UFC 242 on September 7, 2019, at the du Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Madge is on a six-fight win streak, with two wins in the UFC. A win over Haqparast will remind people that Madge is a threat in the division.