- The pair were set to clash at UFC 249
- This marks the FIFTH time the fight has been called off
- Khabib is stuck in Russia due to the coronavirus
The hugely anticipated clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson has been called off.
The two fighters were set to fight at UFC 249 in Brooklyn on April 18 but the lightweight champion is stranded in Russia as the nation placed a travel ban on all flights as part of the country’s measures in battling Covid-19.
UFC had begun a desperate search to field the fight as New York went into lockdown with South Korea, the Middle East and Florida all touted as possible destinations.
However, all these attempts ended on Wednesday when Khabib confirmed that he will not be available for the fight on his Instagram account.
The undefeated Russian wrote:
‘Staying home in quarantine and reading the reaction of people to the situation around my fight, it turns out that the whole world should be in quarantine, governments of all countries, famous people around the world urge people to follow all safety requirements in order to limit the spread of the disease, to save people, and Khabib is the only one relieved of all obligations and must demonstrate free will and train flying around the world, for the sake of fight?
‘I understand everything and I’m definitely upset more than you to cancel the fight, probably like all others, I had many plans after the fight, but I can’t control it all.
‘But Khabib still has to fight, is that what (you’re) saying?
‘Take care of yourself and put yourself in my shoes.’
This marks the FIFTH time that a proposed fight between Khabib and Ferguson has been cancelled or postponed.
With Khabib unable to make the fight, Justin Gaethje is reported to be the one to square off against Ferguson.
