Ex-UFC Fighter Levan Makashvili to Face Ryan Sanders in New CES MMA 36 Main Event

CES MMA 36 was all set to unfold on Friday, but injuries are a constant threat to any promotion and the New England-based CES MMA felt the wrath of the injury bug again.

Ryan Sanders was supposed to oppose Luis Felix for the lightweight title in the main event and had spent eight weeks training for it. But when Felix withdrew from the card due to an injury in training, the scramble for a new opponent was underway.

Enter Levan Makashvili, a three-fight UFC veteran recently released from the Las Vegas-based promotion looking to get back on track. Makashvili pounced on the chance to fight for CES MMA, though he admitted that he isn’t too familiar with Sanders.

“I don’t know much about my opponent, and that’s OK with me,” Makashvili stated. “I know I have what it takes to beat anyone in the sport. It doesn’t matter what my opponents bring to the table. It doesn’t matter who I’m fighting and it doesn’t matter where I’m fighting. I’m coming to win and to make a statement.”

Sanders was initially bummed out about not being able to fight Felix a second time, especially considering how close the fight was. Sanders got a win over the Rhode Island fighter in January when Felix injured his knee.

“I was really looking forward to fighting Luis again, so that’s a bit disappointing but I’m thrilled to fight another really tough opponent, in Levan,” Sanders said. “But now Levan is in my target and I’ve got to go out there and take care of business on Friday, which is exactly what I’m going to do.”

CES MMA 36 goes down at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I. and will be televised live on AXS TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.