UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush has been forced out of a main event slot against Islam Makhachev on Feb. 26 due to injury, sources told Crumpa.

Dariush (21-4-1) was scheduled to face Makhachev (21-1) in a 155-pound bout that might have produced a future title challenger, but withdrew Tuesday after suffering an injury to his leg.

The UFC is currently exploring options on what to do with Makhachev, who is currently riding a nine-fight win streak, as well as this month’s UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas.

Dariush and Makhachev are the UFC’s Nos. 3- and 4-ranked lightweights, respectively. Current champion Charles Oliveira is scheduled to defend his crown against Justin Gaethje in May. The winner of this Feb. 26 bout would have been a strong candidate to fight the winner.

The UFC has actually seen back-to-back lightweight headliners fall through this month. A lightweight bout between former champion Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev was supposed to headline a UFC Fight Night on Saturday, but was pushed back to UFC 272 on March 5 in Las Vegas due to visa issues.

Makhachev is a teammate and protege of undefeated lightweight legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.