Conor McGregor posted a cryptic tweet, following news of Khabib Nurmagomedov pulling out of his scheduled title fight at UFC 249.
Nurmagomedov has decided to stay in quarantine in Russia amid the COVID-19 outbreak, leaving Tony Ferguson without an opponent in the fight card’s main event set for April 18.
The American Kickboxing Academy standout has taken to Instagram to announce his withdrawal from the title 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,” Khabib wrote on Instagram.
“The greatest countries and the largest companies of our time are shocked by what is happening, every day the situation changes unpredictably.”
“But Khabib still has to fight, is that what you saying? Take care of yourself and put yourself in my shoes.”
UFC: Khabib Nurmagomedov Officially Withdraws from April 18 Fight Date https://t.co/SGB3FCx8MH pic.twitter.com/7jqiwJLGfa
— The Fighting news 24/7 (@fightnews2020) April 1, 2020
Interim Title
Following the announcement, Khabib’s fiercest rival, Conor McGregor, took to Twitter to share his thoughts about the UFC 249 main event fallout.
‘The Notorious’ also claimed he is 100% ready to fight in the Octagon right now, but didn’t exactly call out Tony Ferguson.
With Khabib out of the picture, MMA fans think the Irishman could be a massive addition to the fight card if the UFC looks to redeem itself.
McGregor is coming off a sensational 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone and remains the biggest draw in the UFC after helping ESPN+ generate 1 million PPV streams for UFC 246.
“I am in shape to fight right now!” McGregor wrote.
“At the beginning of all this, I said to myself – I’m happy I don’t have an official fight booked. If I did, I would have consumed all the incorrect data to support me taking part in the bout, and I would have followed through, competed. And won.”
I am in shape to fight right now!
At the beginning of all this, I said to myself – I’m happy I don’t have an official fight booked. If I did, I would have consumed all the incorrect data to support me taking part in the bout, and I would have followed through, competed. And won.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 2, 2020
Game Of Chicken
The former two-division champion also took aim at his fellow lightweight fighters, calling their matchup ‘a game of chicken.’
“The fact of this matter is, both Tony and Khabib where engaged in a game of chicken here towards the fight bell.”
“With Khabib chickening out first. Making it 3-2 in pullouts in Tony’s favour.”
“Khab scurried out of the U.S to home, and amid the crisis. Very high risk. Congrats Tony.”
The fact of this matter is, both Tony and Khabib where engaged in a game of chicken here towards the fight bell. With Khabib chickening out first. Making it 3-2 in pullouts in Tony’s favour. Khab scurried out of the U.S to home, and amid the crisis. Very high risk.
Congrats Tony.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 2, 2020
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov)