Elizeu Zaleski returns to the cage after a 20-month hiatus to face Abubakar Nurmagomedov at UFC Vegas 74, according to his coach Cristiano Marcello.
Elizeu Zaleski makes his return to the cage for the first time in 20 months as he faces Abubakar Nurmagomedov at UFC Vegas 74, confirmed by Zaleski’s coach Cristiano Marcello. The event takes place on June 3 at the UFC APEX and features a headline match between middleweights Jack Hermansson and Brendan Allen.
Zaleski (23-7) faced a one-year USADA suspension and a nine-month ban by the Nevada Athletic Commission after testing positive for ostarine in 2022. Though his team managed to prove that a supplement was contaminated, they ultimately received a sanction because the Brazilian pharmacy involved declined to admit guilt. “Capoeira” last fought in October 2021, scoring a one-sided decision victory over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 267, bouncing back from a close decision defeat to Muslim Salikhov. As a longtime UFC veteran, Zaleski has emerged victorious in nine of his past 11 octagon appearances, including wins over Sean Strickland, Max Griffin, and Alexey Kunchenko.
Nurmagomedov (17-3-1), cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is a former WSOF and PFL fighter who has achieved a 2-1 record in the UFC, earning decisions over Jared Gooden and Gadzhi Omargadzhiev following a debut loss to David Zawada. Coach Marcello expressed excitement for Elizeu’s return, saying, “He collects bonuses in the UFC and I’ve never seen him in a boring fight. I’m sure he’s coming back with guns blazing. It’s a tough fight, but he’s ready.”