The Ultimate Fighting Championship has reportedly tapped Justin Gaethje as replacement for Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event of the highly-awaited UFC 249.
This after the undefeated Russian champion said he is doubtful for his next title-defence as his home country, Russia, recently closed its borders to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Last week, Nurmagomedov returned to the Russian soil after abandoning his training camp in the United States, with the American Kickboxing Academy shutting its doors due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Now, the lightweight champion said the April fight card could go ahead with or without him.
“Currently I am in Dagestan and I am training and preparing every day,” Khabib said in an Instagram live (per RT Sport).
“Although I don’t know what am I preparing for. Because after we came to Russia we also learned that the borders are going to be locked.”
“Same like in the States, same like in Europe, Emirates, everywhere. The whole world is in quarantine right now.”
Another Obstacle
According to Khabib, the Nevada-based promotion is looking to hold the fight card even without him, which means the lightweight match-up will be cancelled for the fifth time.
”So now I am hearing that they are looking to organize it with or without me. OK, go ahead,” he said as he welcomes the UFC’s plan of replacing him.
“Everyone should follow the laws. I am not against it, I know that fighters need to feed their families and pay their bills. I know how hard it is for the fighter. Unless they fight they aren’t getting any money.
“I am even hearing that they are looking for an opponent for Tony, because he is in the States and I am here in Russia. But I am here not on my own will.”
“We discussed everything with the UFC. By that time I already spent 5 weeks of hard training in the AKA.”
“Now I don’t really know what’s going on. It’s really hard to train and cut your weight when the whole world is locked down and you don’t know what you are preparing for.”
“But it’s not the first time I face obstacles in my career.”
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New Opponent
With the defending champ potentially out of the picture, the UFC has now started to look for possible replacement and has given Justin Gaethje an offer to lock horns with Ferguson, per a report from ESPN.
“Ferguson, per sources, has been offered a fight against top contender Justin Gaethje. However, that fight has not been agreed upon nor finalized. Neither has a location for the event,” the report said.
Also added in the line up is a heavyweight fight between Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik, a potential title eliminator that was originally scheduled to headline the UFC on ESPN 8 card.
In the co-main event, Rose Namajunas will take on Jessica Andrade in a re-run of their UFC 237 strawweight clash.
UFC president Dana White said the UFC 249 will feature a full line up. The official venue has yet to be announced.
(Featured Image Source: YouTube/ ESPN MMA and The Schmo)