The fight curse continues for Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson but the number one lightweight contender doesn’t want to let go of the matchup yet.
After a series of pullouts, the Ultimate Fighting Championship booked Ferguson against Nurmagomedov for the fifth time as they are set to headline the UFC 249 fight card on April 18, with the lightweight belt up for grabs.
But it seems like the lightweight pair is not destined to share the Octagon as ‘The Eagle’ revealed on Monday morning he is doubtful for the highly-anticipated lightweight bout, following Russia’s decision to close it borders due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“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 as in the States, the same as in Europe, Emirates, everywhere.”
“The whole world is in quarantine right now.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov says he's under lockdown in Russia, #UFC249 may go ahead 'with or without me' https://t.co/EWkYpf4ych
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) March 30, 2020
Not Against
With Khabib stranded in Russia, the UFC is now looking for possible replacement as the April card will go ahead even without the lightweight champion.
“So now I am hearing that they are looking to organize it with or without me,” Nurmagomedov shared. “
“OK, go ahead. 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. The UFC told me that this fight 100% isn’t happening in the USA, and even if it’s not happening in the Emirates it will happen on this side of Atlantic. 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.”
Dec 11, 2015 ❌
April 16, 2016 ❌
March 4, 2017 ❌
April 7, 2018 ❌
April 18, 2020 ❌Khabib vs Ferguson is off again for the 5th time. https://t.co/q8iZn7h57t
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) March 31, 2020
Defend Or Vacate
As a response, ‘El Cucuy’ blasts Nurmagomedov for using the travel ban as an excuse to back out of the title fight.
Ferguson now challenges the Russian to either defend or vacate the 155-pound belt.
Taking to Twitter, the lightweight contender said: “April 18 Is Getting Close @TeamKhabib & You’re Hiding In Russia. Travel Bans Will Not Prevent Me From Whoopin’ That Ass. Don’t Use It As An Excuse To Back Out. You Have Been Sent Many Locations, Send Us 1. Still My Bitch #DefendorVacate.”
If Khabib officially pulls out, Justin Gaethje might step in as a late replacement to fight Ferguson.
https://twitter.com/TonyFergusonXT/status/1244495533055414273
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Khabib Nurmagomedov and YouTube/ UFC)