UFC 249 is going ahead but the headline bout has change with Tony Ferguson now fighting Justin Gaethje instead of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The biggest event of the evening was due to be unbeaten lightweight champion Khabib putting his crown on the line against former interim title holder Ferguson, but the champ is now holed up in Russia meaning an alternative opponent was required.
The pair have previously been scheduled to fight on FOUR separate occasions, but every one of those bouts has been cancelled before the fighters could settle things in the Octagon – and the curse has now struck again.
KHABIB vs Ferguson was originally set for a headline slot in Brooklyn, New York.
But that location will now change with the Big Apple on lockdown.
UFC boss Dana White has tweeted that it will take place “somewhere on Earth”.
Fight night is on Sunday, April 19 with a UK start time of around midnight.
The fight is signed and is 100% ON LIVE on ESPN somewhere on EARTH!!!!
@TonyFergusonXT vs @Justin_Gaethje is LIVE on @espn+ PPV April 18th for the interim lightweight belt! pic.twitter.com/aH44zg5K30
— danawhite (@danawhite) April 6, 2020
DESPITE White’s best efforts, Khabib and Ferguson’s bout has been postponed for the FIFTH time, with Gaethje now stepping in.
Lightweight champ Khabib has confirmed he will not leave Russia to fight, hitting out at claims he should travel to the USA.
Which caused the 31-year-old to post a picture of himself alongside a caption that read: “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.
“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.”
FIGHT fans on this side of the pond will be able to watch this bout on BT Sport.
Pay-per-view information is yet to be released from BT Sport Box Office.
Check back to SunSport for regular UFC updates and the very latest MMA news.
FERGUSON vs Gaethje is currently the only confirmed fight, but here is how the card looked initially.
