Matt Frevola and Arman Tsarukyan Matched For UFC 257 After Both Losing Opponents

After their originally scheduled fights on Saturday were cancelled, Matt Frevola and Arman Tsarukyan have been matched for UFC 257.

The new matchup joins a pay-per-view card that is set to happen at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Frevola was first scheduled to face Ottman Azaitar, although that fight was thrown out after Azaitar commited a “Safety Zone Violation.”

Per a report from Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie, Azaitar and his team attempted to sneak people into the bubble format put in place due to COVID-19. Dana White told MMA Junkie that Azaitar has since been cut from the UFC.

“UFC is aware of a recent violation of the health and safety protocols involving Ottman Azaitar. As such, Azaitar has been removed from the safety zone and his upcoming bout against Matt Frevola has been canceled,” said UFC in a statement published on Saturday.

Tsarukyan lost his first booking after his opponent, Nasrat Haqparast, pulled out due to illness.

Tsarukyan missed weight for his fight, coming in one pound over the non-championship lightweight limit.

Here is the updated lineup for UFC 257 with the new lightweight pairing.

Early Prelims (6:15PM EST / 3:15AM GST) (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)

Bout 1: Amir Albazi (13-1) vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (13-4) (Flyweight)

Bout 2: Nik Lentz (30-11-2) vs. Movsar Evloev (13-0) (Featherweight)

Bout 3: Andrew Sanchez (12-5) vs. Makhmud Muradov (24-6) (Middleweight)

Early Prelims (6:15PM EST / 3:15AM GST) (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)

Bout 4: Khalil Rountree (8-4) vs. Marcin Prachnio (13-5) (Light Heavyweight)

Bout 5: Sara McMann (12-5) vs. Julianna Pena (9-4) (Bantamweight)

Bout 6: Brad Tavares (17-6) vs. Antonio Carlos Junior (10-4) (Middleweight)

Preliminary Card (8:00PM EST / 5:00AM GST) (ESPN / TSN 5)

Bout 8: Marina Rodriguez (12-1-2) vs. Amanda Ribas (10-1) (Strawweight)

Bout 9: Matt Frevola (8-1-1) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (15-2) (Lightweight)

Bout 10: Jessica Eye (15-8) vs. Joanne Calderwood (14-5) (Flyweight)

Bout 11: Dan Hooker (20-9) vs. Michael Chandler (21-5) (Lightweight)

Bout 12: Dustin Poirier (26-6) vs. Conor McGregor (22-4) (Lightweight)