VIDEO: Khabib Nurmagomedov Announces He's Stuck in Russia and Can't Travel for Tony Ferguson Fight
Unfortunately for UFC fans and Dana White, it's looking more and more unlikely the highly-anticipated battle between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 will take place. On a recent Instagram live session with fans, Khabib revealed he's still in Russia. With the borders closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Khabib making his way out of the country in time for the April 18 showdown seems like a total stretch, and UFC is currently offering Ferguson alternate fight options.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has just revealed on an Instagram live broadcast that he is indeed in Russia.
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) March 30, 2020
What does this mean for the Tony Ferguson fight now travel in and out of the country is restricted? #UFC
pic.twitter.com/Tw6Bknhru3
In that same IG live session, Khabib awknowledged the fact that the UFC is looking at potential replacement fighters for Ferguson to take on. According to multiple ESPN sources, White and Co. are considering Justin Gaethje to fill in for Khabib.
Per ESPN, officials are confident UFC 249 can still take place somewhere in the United States. The event was originally scheduled for Brooklyn's Barclays Center, but that is now impossible, due to the growing coronavirus cases in NYC.
JUST IN: Dana White has revealed he’s secured a location for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s #UFC 249 bout with Tony Ferguson.
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) March 23, 2020
“I do (know where it is). But I’m not ready to tell you yet. I know lots of things. There’s not going to be any fans there. It’s going to be a closed event.” pic.twitter.com/dOYnZyb9th
While White may have an idea of where UFC 249 will be moved, he'll have to find someone else to take on Ferguson in primetime (a fighter who's already on US soil). While him and Khabib rocking each other's faces would have made for great entertainment, it's incredibly unlikely to happen this time around.