Khabib says UFC ‘looking for new opponent’ for Tony Ferguson; lightweight champ hit by Russia travel ban

Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed that his UFC 249 title defence against Tony Ferguson is likely to be scrapped for a fifth time.

The 31-year-old Russian is stuck in Russia having moved from his US training camp after UFC president Dana White confirmed the fight would not be held its original location Brooklyn, New York location.

The UFC’s confidence in holding the Covid-19-stricken event took a hit after Russia announced a strict travel ban on March 30. Khabib revealed the news in Russian during an Instagram Live session on Monday.

“As far as I know, they [UFC] are now looking for an opponent for Tony Ferguson ... I cannot leave [Russia] and Tony needs an opponent, and I am here in Russia. It is not my own decision that I am here,” he said.

“I consulted with the UFC and they said that 99 per cent the fight will be in Abu Dhabi. If not in Abu Dhabi, the fight will take place in that part of the world, let’s just put it like that. It will definitely not happen in America,” said Khabib, who added he has been in Dagestan for around 10 days.

While not revealing the country, White had said the previous week he was “99 per cent” sure of UFC 249’s location and reasserted Khabib vs Tony Ferguson “will happen on that day”. Khabib’s team appear to have made the decision to leave the US with the UFC’s blessing.

“By the time we found out I had spent five weeks in AKA [American Kickboxing Academy] doing hard training. I was in very good shape. We flew out having spoken with UFC. We discussed everything with them,” Khabib said.

“Now I am in a state of confusion – what is going to happen? How is it going to happen? In what format?”

Despite the possibility of a fighter replacing the stranded Khabib, he insisted he is still training as if the fight is happening.

“I do not lose hope, I do not lose spirit. I am the reigning UFC champion and it was not because of me that the fight did not happen. I was preparing and I am still preparing [for the fight],” he said. “I have just finished a training session. I am ready to fight anyone and any time. I am here, I am an athlete, I am the reigning champion.”

Ferguson, who is training in his native California, tweeted earlier on Monday: “April 18 is getting close Khabib [and] you’re hiding in Russia. Travel bans will not prevent me from whoopin’ that a**. Don’t use it as an excuse to back out. You have been sent many locations. Send us [one]. Still my b***h. #defendorvacate”.

Neither White, Ferguson nor the UFC have confirmed whether Khabib’s comments are accurate. If true, this would be the fifth time a fight between the pair has been cancelled – and the first cancellation because of a travel ban and global pandemic.

However, there were several lightweight fighters rumoured to be interested in a short-notice replacement bout should Khabib or Ferguson pull out.

In January, Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh said it was “not late notice” for the Irishman to step in.

Meanwhile, American Justin Gaethje and New Zealander Dan Hooker have also thrown their names into the hat for the UFC matchmakers should they need.

Additional reporting by Pavel Toropov