Tag: Khabib Nurmagomedov

UFC 249 may go on without Khabib Nurmagomedov due to travel restrictions

UFC fans have been waiting years for a match between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and now it looks like their fifth scheduled bout — part of UFC 249 — is not going to happen.

UFC fans have been waiting years for a match between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and now it looks like their fifth scheduled bout — part of UFC 249 — is not going to happen.

UFC 249 may go on without Khabib Nurmagomedov due to travel restrictions (Mmajunkie)

UFC fans have been waiting years for a match between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and now it looks like their fifth scheduled bout — part of UFC 249 — is not going to happen.

UFC fans have been waiting years for a match between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and now it looks like their fifth scheduled bout — part of UFC 249 — is not going to happen.

Twitter reacts to Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson being in jeopardy at UFC 249

All signs point to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson not fighting at UFC 249, and the reactions are that of overwhelming disappointment.

All signs point to [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] not fighting at UFC 249, and the combat sports world is doing a collective facepalm.

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has put much of the world on pause, the UFC was dead set on moving forward with Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) vs. Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) despite four previously failed bookings. UFC president Dana White said he was close to confirming a venue, but then on Monday another significant wrench was thrown into the works.

Nurmagomedov is apparently unable to leave Russia due to the recently imposed travel ban, and now the UFC is reportedly scrambling for either a replacement to fight Ferguson, or a new main event all together.

The situation caused many reactions within the MMA community, and much of them were filed with the same disappointing tone. Check out the top Twitter reactions to Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson being in serious jeopardy.

* * * *

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Tony Ferguson waiting for location, says travel ban won’t save ‘hiding’ Khabib Nurmagomedov

Tony Ferguson asks Khabib Nurmagomedov to send him a location, but the UFC lightweight champion is currently stuck in Russia.

Heading into April, the UFC is yet to announce a location for UFC 249.

With the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and travel bans implemented globally, time is seemingly winding down on the highly-anticipated UFC lightweight title fight between champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and former interim champion [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag].

Russia has recently banned all cross-border travel except for diplomats or members of official delegations, which may put the fight in jeopardy, considering that Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) is currently in Dagestan.

Dana White has mentioned that there are numerous locations discussed for the event but Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC), who is in the U.S., appears unaware of where the fight will take place and, in his most recent Twitter update, asked Nurmagomedov to send him a location.

“April 18 Is Getting Close @TeamKhabib & You’re Hiding In Russia. Travel Bans Will Not Prevent Me From Whoopin’ That Ass. Don’t Use It As An Excuse To Back Out. You Have Been Sent Many Locations, Send Us 1. Still My Bitch #DefendorVacate MF ⚾️ -CSO- 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽 #ufc249 @ufc @danawhite”

Nurmagomedov recently closed out his camp at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif. before flying home to Russia last week when he heard that the fight will not happen in the U.S.

But with travel bans now also being imposed in his homeland, Nurmagomedov is currently stuck there, putting yet another hurdle in the way of his eagerly-awaited fight with Ferguson.

[vertical-gallery id=497274]

Khabib Nurmagomedov says he’s under lockdown in Russia, UFC 249 may go ahead ‘with or without me’

With Khabib Nurmagomedov stuck in Russia, the lightweight champion says UFC 249 may move on with or without his involvement.

The much-anticipated UFC lightweight title fight between [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] looks set to fall by the wayside for a fifth time.

UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov appeared on Instagram Live Monday to explain his situation, as he revealed that he is currently stuck in his native Dagestan after plans to travel to the United Arab Emirates for UFC 249 hit travel restriction issues. Now the Russian is back home under a national travel lockdown, and revealed that the UFC was considering moving ahead with the event without him.

“We were training at AKA without any information regarding the fight, where and how is it going to happen,” he said (via RT Sport translation). “Then the UFC told us that the fight 100% isn’t happening in the States. And they said that 99% that it will happen in (United Arab) Emirates, Abu Dhabi.

“After talking to the UFC we decided to fly over to the Emirates a month before the fight. I don’t remember the exact date, it was 19th or 20th, I’ll have to check. But when we landed in Emirates we learned that they are going to close (the) borders and no one will be able to leave or fly in, with (the) exception of residents.

“So, we had to fly back to Russia. Currently, I am in Dagestan and I am training and preparing every day, although I don’t know what am I preparing for. Because after we came to Russia we also learned that the borders are going to be locked. Same like in the States, same like in Europe, Emirates, everywhere. The whole world is in quarantine right now.”

[lawrence-related id=501886,500753,501054]

Now it appears Nurmagomedov is locked down in his native Russia, his participation on April 18 looks almost impossible in the current climate, with the various travel bans around the world significantly restricting movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nurmagomedov also suggested that UFC 249 may still go ahead without him, as he revealed he had heard the UFC were now considering alternative opponent options for Ferguson.

“So now I am hearing that they are looking to organize it with or without me. OK, go ahead,” he said. “Everyone should follow the laws. I am not against it, I know that fighters need to feed their families and pay their bills. I know how hard it is for the fighter. Unless they fight they aren’t getting any money.

“I am even hearing that they are looking for an opponent for Tony, because he is in the States and I am here in Russia. But I am here not on my own will. The UFC told me that this fight 100% isn’t happening in the USA, and even if it’s not happening in the Emirates it will happen on this side of Atlantic. We discussed everything with the UFC. By that time I already spent five weeks of hard training at AKA.

“Now I don’t really know what’s going on. It’s really hard to train and cut your weight when the whole world is locked down and you don’t know what you are preparing for. But it’s not the first time I face obstacles in my career.”

[vertical-gallery id=497274]

Conor McGregor’s coach: COVID-19 restrictions won’t hamper Khabib, Ferguson – if fight happens

Aside from conditioning, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson will be just fine, according to John Kavanagh – assuming UFC 249 happens.

Despite endless assurances from UFC president Dana White that the UFC 249 main event will happen as promised, John Kavanagh doesn’t see [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] taking place next month.

Kavanagh, the head coach of former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor at SBG Ireland, has an interest in Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) vs. Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) coming to fruition, as McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) could very well face the winner.

After four failed bookings between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic looms over UFC 249, which is scheduled for April 18 in an unknown location. White has said a venue is nearly confirmed.

Until Nurmagomedov and Ferguson actually step in the octagon, there will be lingering doubt about the fight happening. Kavanagh said he doesn’t think it will get over the finish line, but if it does, he presumes both athletes will be able to make due with the unique circumstances (via Twitter):

If the April 18th fight happens. Honestly I cant see how it does but let’s be optimistic and say it does then what effect will 4-5 weeks of no real grappling/sparring have. Only focus will be conditioning. Personally I think it’ll have almost zero effect on skill. 1/n

The fighters have 2many years of consistent training for a couple of weeks to have any real effect on technique or timing. I think the only real effect is theyll come in completely injury free. No bruising, no tweaked knees, nothing. That been said I just cant see it happening 🤷‍♂️

The coronavirus outbreak already has caused the UFC to postpone three scheduled events. Kavanagh said he thinks it will stop a fourth, UFC 249, but White remains insistent that the MMA world will get to witness one of the most highly anticipated fights of all time.

[opinary poll=”do-you-think-khabib-vs-ferguson-is-happe-Xkg3vi” customer=”mmajunkie”]

Ali Abdelaziz says Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t fight for the money: ‘He’s a little different’

According to his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t strictly chasing dollar signs like many other champions.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] is different, according to his manager, Ali Abdelaziz.

UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) has competed against a dozen opponents under the promotion’s banner. No one has been able to defeat him.

In April 2018, Nurmagomedov defeated Al Iaquinta for the UFC’s vacant lightweight strap. In October of the same year, he successfully defended his title for the first time when he submitted Conor McGregor at UFC 229.

Most recently, Nurmagomedov submitted Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in September. Now he’s matched up with Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, an event which is currently scheduled to take place on April 18, though a location has yet to be determined with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc on the promotion’s plans.

[lawrence-related id=502194,501886,501742]

When it comes to how a champion defends their title, Dominance MMA CEO Abdelaziz thinks champions should chase the dollar signs. However, Abdelaziz said Nurmagomedov is different.

“(Champions should focus on) getting paid – except for one guy,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie at Dominance MMA’s recent media day at Park Theater. “I think everybody should get paid. Khabib is not about getting paid. He’s a little different. I think he should fight for money. That’s what he’s doing this for, (but) Khabib is a little bit different.

“When he leaves, we’re all going to miss him – the way he handled the sport (and) handled himself. I think Khabib could fight for five more years, but if he retired tomorrow, I’m happy. If he fought a fight tomorrow, I’m happy. I want him to do what he wants.”

Check out Ali Abdelaziz’s comments in the video above.

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, March 24: Get used to this list for a while

With the global MMA schedule now at a virtual standstill, the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings will be rather stagnant for a few weeks.

While Cage Warriors was able to slip in an event this past weekend in England, the global MMA schedule is now at a virtual standstill.

Concern over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has led government bodies around the world to ban public gatherings, and travel restrictions have resulted in even more logistical challenges, leaving the sport’s biggest promotions unable to host events.

As such, the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA rankings aren’t likely to change until April 18, and even then, only provided UFC president Dana White can make good on his promise of finding a location to host a much anticipated lightweight title fight between the top two 155-pounders in the world with undefeated current champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) and former interim titleholder [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC).

The contest is set to headline UFC 249, which was originally expected to take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Despite the challenges, White has repeatedly insisted the card will take place on that date.

In the meantime, take a look at the latest rankings, which still see UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) as the top pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.

Spinning Back Clique: How much is Khabib vs. Ferguson worth? What fights to make after the pandemic

How much would you pay to watch just the UFC 249 headliner, assuming Dana White can pull that off?

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. In this week’s episode, John Morgan, “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” unpack the fallout from fights canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, dare to talk a little UFC 249, and more.

SHOW RUNDOWN:

  • [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] was one of the big fights canceled (err, “postponed”) because of the coronavirus outbreak, but not before things got interesting with [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] volunteering to step in on six days’ notice before UFC London was ultimately scrapped. The question is: When the schedule gets up and running again, what’s the fight to make?
  • [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruick was another lost fight because of the coronavirus outbreak, as it was set to headline UFC Columbus this weekend. Similar question as before: Should Ngannou jump back into this matchup when we get back to normal, or should he consider some other option?
  • Despite UFC president Dana White insisting that UFC 249 will go on as planned on April 18 in a new location, there remains doubt – and rightfully so. But let’s just say for the sake of argument that White could make a miracle happen and give us [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] – but only that fight. Nothing else. How much would you be willing to pay for just that one fight?
  • There’s no denying that the coronavirus pandemic has put the sport on hold. How long exactly? Nobody knows. So for the time being, we offer a little advice to how fighters could help themselves with the conversations they’re having both behind the scenes and out in public.
  • All of that being said, there was some MMA action this past weekend at Cage Warriors 113 in Manchester, England, which took place behind closed doors. Did we identify any UFC-ready talent from the card?

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 21 of “Spinning Back Clique” above.