This is not just an important fight in the UFC’s lightweight division but it is one of the most anticipated fights in the history of UFC. Yes, the fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov (UFC Lightweight Division) and Tony Ferguson (#1 contender in the division) is scheduled for UFC 249 on April 19 and no matter what it is going to happen according to the latest reports.
The fight between these MMA fighters is believed to be cursed because before it has been canceled four times in the past and this is the fifth time. The world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic for and most of the big events and mass gatherings are called off on the order of the government. But MMA fans, get your sports jersey ready because UFC president Dana White confirmed to the ESPN recently that the fight between Khabib and Tony is the most anticipated in the UFC and it is what fans want then he is ready to make the arrangements.
He told that the venue of the fight could change due to the coronavirus pandemic. On March 13 he announced through the UFC YouTube channel that some fights will be moved from its original venue to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and ensured that all the events would go according to the schedule. But the Coronavirus outbreak has worsened the situation in all parts of the world.
Several events and leagues of basketball, football, cricket, golf, motorcycling, formula 1, boxing, and various other events have been canceled. The MMA world is no exception. Dana White said recently to the ESPN that they are postponing the next three UFC events except UFC 249.
He said that according to the guidelines they were ready to arrange all the upcoming UFC events with not more than 50 people in the arena but now it has been reduced to 10 people according to the latest guidelines. This resulted in postponing the next three events. “That’s just impossible, we can’t do it and we have complied with everything that the government and the doctors have said to do, he said.
“We have no choice but to postpone the next three events but Tiny Ferguson VS Khabib, April 18th is still on and that will still happen,” he ensures. Upon asked how this will happen when other UFC events are called he answered ‘We are going to follow these guidelines of not having more than 10 people in a room and we are hoping this all clears up by April 18 and this fight is going to happen even if there is no crowd.”
The fight venue may move out of the United States but it is going to happen ‘whatever it takes.’ When SportsCenter asked Dana why it is important to keep these fights happening with all the circumstances and the challenges the country is facing right now he told “this is what we do. Fighters wanna fight and fans wanna see it and we have nothing but positive feedback from the fans and the fighters. These all guys wanna continue and we will.”
So Khabib Vs Tony is going to happen on its original date according to guidelines of the government and it may move out of the US but it is on. Let us remind you that the fights between two fighters were canceled in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, due to several health reasons of either of the fighters and this is the fifth attempt of making the fight possible.