A high-profile lightweight matchup has been scrapped from UFC 170 next month, according to UFC President Dana White.

Just days after Fox Sports 1’s UFC Tonight announced that surging contender Khabib Nurmagomedov was going to face ex-Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez at UFC 170 on February 22, White told Fox Sports on Friday that the bout was “not happening.”

White did not disclose why the bout was no longer happening and simply stated that he was looking for a new opponent for Nurmagomedov to fight in the near future.

“The Eagle” boasts a perfect 21-0 record as a professional mixed martial artist, including five straight victories inside the Octagon.

The accomplished Russian grappler most recently put on a takedown clinic against former Strikeforce title contender Pat Healy at UFC 165 in September.

Currently regarded as the no. 7 lightweight in the world according to the UFC’s official rankings, the Red Fury Fight Team member is probably just one victory away from a title shot.

Meanwhile, “El Nino” is fresh off a blistering unanimous decision win over Diego Sanchez in October, a matchup that won the distinction of Inside MMA’s “Fight of the Year” for 2013.

Prior to that fight, Melendez lost a hotly-contested split decision to then-champion Benson Henderson at UFC on Fox 7 in April.

Melendez has won eight of his past nine bouts and is ranked the no. 2 lightweight in the world, according to the UFC’s official rankings.

Nurmagomedov has expressed interest in fighting former title challenge Nate Diaz in the past, so perhaps this is a matchup the UFC considers in light of the latest news.