Khabib says UFC ‘looking for new opponent’ for Tony Ferguson; lightweight champ hit by Russia travel ban
- Nurmagomedov reveals he ‘can’t fly out of Russia’ after leaving US last week, throwing Ferguson fight into doubt
- ‘The Eagle’ says he was told UFC 249 will ‘99 per cent held in Abu Dhabi’
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 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.