The Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson fight is cancelled for the fifth time and mixed martial arts fans went wild on social media.
Nurmagomedov, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, has announced his withdrawal from the fight card as he decided to stay in quarantine in Russia amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Staying home in quarantine and reading the reaction of people to the situation around my fight,” Khabib wrote on Instagram.
“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.”
“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.”
Who's going to replace Khabib? Or is the card even going to go ahead?https://t.co/mpZ91KPD3S
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 1, 2020
Following the announcement, some MMA fans were quick to criticize the undefeated Russian for his decision, saying he’s scared to face ‘El Cucuy.’
#khabib is scared of #tonyferguson https://t.co/fyI6zpFNbk
— R3lic (@R3licX) April 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/justin_mcshan/status/1245494663584387075
Knew it… God damnit I knew it… Khabib has shown how much of a coward he truly is. Scared to lose the belt and his unbeaten streak. Blaming it on the pandemic when it's really his shoddy weight cut – that he mentioned 2/3 days ago!!
— Alex Preece (@PreecenatorLFC) April 2, 2020
pull out again? get a private plane khabib and fight tony. i feel like you’re pulling out again because you can’t make weight. oh i know you’re scared of the boogeyman that’s why. make the fight happen. https://t.co/AQmdaa2g8I
— Sean (@MellivoraVilla) April 2, 2020
Facts, khabib was always scared https://t.co/TAV9UvpZom
— David (@DavidV7257) April 2, 2020
#UFC249 Needs to happen with Khabib or not. I think Khabib is scared for this fight. He could fly out to 249 on a private jet. It’s been said and reported. Tony I believe may have a chance if it does play out. Tony better have a worthy opponent it Khabib is out though.
— zack_justinich (@ZJustinich) April 2, 2020
Small part of me thinks maybe Khabib is scared of losing his unbeaten record and purposely ducked this fight. #UFC #UFC249
— Abir Kasat (@AbirKasat) April 2, 2020
Khabib a little scared??
— Casey Carl (@CaseyCarlFugate) April 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/CringeLethal/status/1245385930208415744
'The Notorious' Conor McGregor fought Chad Mendes with no ACL yet Khabib isn't fighting because he is scared of getting a cold. The era of the fight game being filled with tough men is officially over.
— paul (@TheNotoriousPDB) April 1, 2020
But with the world currently battling the COVID-19 outbreak, some fans believe Khabib made the right decision to stay.
Khabib is a killer of the highest degree. He has no reason to be scared of Tony. You can not lie to yourself just because you dislike someone. That is so weak
— gibby (@mrcNary) April 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/TweakMMA/status/1245526598456995840
I honestly feel bad for the people that think Khabib is scared of somebody like Tony. I know you Tony stans are as weird and as gone as Tony is but jesus christ get a grip #ufc249 pic.twitter.com/2Q3k2rfYgH
— Raampagefan420 (@ERICWIL04561815) March 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/kapilgupta2896/status/1245598509127983104
https://twitter.com/FarooqSalangi/status/1245598659485396994
What do you think of Khabib’s withdrawal from UFC 249?
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov)