Tag: Khabib Nurmagomedov

Video: Reminders of why most of you want Khabib vs. Ferguson to happen at UFC 249

The MMA world mostly is at a standstill thanks to coronavirus, but that’s not stopping the hope for Khabib vs. Tony Ferguson at UFC 249.

The MMA world mostly is at a standstill right now thanks to – and stop us if you’ve heard this one lately – the global coronavirus pandemic.

The UFC postponed its planned show for this past Saturday in London the week of the event and pushed back its next two planned shows in Columbus, Ohio, and Portland, Ore., with no new dates scheduled. Nine days ago, Bellator scrapped its event in Connecticut on the day of the fight with just a few hours’ notice.

By and large, fans seem to be on board with what’s going on. After all, what other choice do any of us have? Much of the world has completely shut down in an effort to contain the virus’ outbreak, and that includes MMA – for now, anyway.

And while most fans probably can survive if they have to wait for Tyron Woodley vs. Leon Edwards, Alistair Overeem vs. Walt Harris or even Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik – though there certainly were title implications there – it’s perhaps been a different story when it comes to the scheduled main event for UFC 249.

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UFC 249 was set for April 18 at Barclays Center in the New York borough of Brooklyn. But large gatherings won’t be back on by then, so Brooklyn is out. The card needs a home, and the UFC isn’t yet sure if doing it at its Apex facility in Las Vegas will be possible since the Nevada Athletic Commission currently has suspended all fighter licenses. It is set to meet Wednesday to figure out the next step, but it’s quite likely Vegas is off the table, too.

What we do know is that UFC president Dana White is on record saying he’s committed to making, at the very least, the main event between lightweight champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) and challenger [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC). He even posted a fan-made poster to imply the UFC would hold the show on the moon if it had to.

It’s evidence of the interest in the fight itself, which has become known as arguably the most talked about fight in MMA history to still never happen. It’s been booked four times, and four times it’s been scrapped – with the reasons falling twice on each side.

The mere thought of the fifth time falling apart, too, has been enough to drive fans batty – and White might as well be counted in that group.

“We’re postponing the next three events, but Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib (on) April 18 is still on,” White said on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” this past week. “That will still happen. We’re going to follow these guidelines to not have more than 10 people in a room. We’re hoping this all clears up by April. This fight is going to happen. No crowd – whatever it takes. It probably won’t even be in the United States, but this fight is going to happen.”

From all appearances, White and the UFC seem to be pot committed to keeping what could be one of its most lucrative pay-per-view events of the year on schedule, even if there’s no publicly announced plan in place yet.

For now, things still may be up in the air. But we know one thing: People want to see the fight finally happen, which is why the UFC hasn’t been willing to chalk it up on the same postponement list with the others yet.

Will it happen as planned April 18, be it behind closed doors in Vegas, behind closed doors out of the country, or (we kid, but …) behind closed doors on the moon? Time will tell.

But until then, refresh your memory in the video above for part of why this has heretofore been a fantasy matchup that most fans hope still becomes a reality.

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Ben Askren breaks down keys to victory in Khabib vs. Ferguson matchup at UFC 249

Ben Askren breaks down the UFC 249 lightweight title fight between champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.

[autotag]Ben Askren[/autotag] knows a thing or two about being a strong grappler.

One of the most anticipated matchups in UFC history between lightweight champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] is scheduled to take place April 18 in the UFC 249 headliner.

No one has been able to stop Nurmagomedov, who has run through all opposition, mostly by pinning opponents to the mat and punishing them with relative ease.

But in Ferguson, Nurmagomedov faces someone with serious threat off of his back, whether it be his slick jiu-jitsu game, or sharp elbows from bottom.

Speaking to Submission Radio, former Olympic wrestler Askren gave his take on the matchup and why Ferguson might have what it takes to stop Nurmagomedov.

“Khabib’s obviously going to get takedowns, and he’s been so dominant with ground-and-pound,” Askren said. “But at the same time, Tony is so active off his back and he’s good with the elbows and he’s got a lot of tricky stuff. I think it’s going to be totally fascinating. I’m excited to see what happens.

“Tony’s a great fit, because he’s not going to stay put on bottom. Tony can take a lot of damage, which, you know – Khabib will dish it out. Tony doesn’t get tired. And then Tony’s a high-volume striker. He’s not a power puncher, which I don’t think is the right mix to beat Khabib because I think you have to kind of fight him hard, stuff a few takedowns and volume strike him. And I think that’s how you’re going to beat him – and that’s what Tony does. So there’s a possibility.”

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But with uncertainty surrounding the event due to the coronavirus outbreak, Askren urged the UFC to proceed with the fight no matter what, even if it means sacrificing the rest of the card.

“The one thing I said last night was, let’s not get greedy, Dana – let’s make this really simple,” Askren said. “All we need is Tony and Khabib. We don’t need a (expletive) undercard. So in America they’re doing 10 people maximum – you can’t have more than 10 people in a group. So you’ve got Tony, Khabib, three judges. But, you could also have the judges be remote. So you don’t actually have to have them there.

“Your referee, you have Dana, you have Bruce Buffer and you have Joe Rogan, maybe. Maybe we take the judges out and make the judges remote at a remote location and we give (the fighters) each two coaches or something, or one coach. I think there’s a way to do it to keep it under 10 people and broadcast it.”

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MMA vs. coronavirus: Staying up to date on developments during the COVID-19 pandemic

We keep you updated on the latest MMA schedule plans amid unprecedented circumstances.

The COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe has caused the sporting world to grind to a virtual standstill, with even MMA forced to step down its efforts to plow on in the face of rising health concerns.

The outbreak has changed daily living for people in all walks of life, with terms like “self-isolation,” and “social distancing,” not to mention more hand washing than ever before becoming part of our daily routines.

With their main sources of income now severely curtailed, everyone in the MMA world finds themselves facing a different battle in an effort to stay safe as they, like the rest of us, adapt to a new normal during the global health crisis.

Via this page, we’ll keep you right up to date with the latest developments and stories throughout the coronavirus crisis.

(Editor’s note: This will continue to be updated as events unfold with the latest info in chronological from top to bottom.)

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Wednesday, March 18

Cage Warriors 113 card reshuffled – again!

Travel restrictions in Europe have forced three key fights off Friday night’s Cage Warriors 113 card.

The new main event features the UFC middleweight bout between [autotag]Bartosz Fabinski[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC), with support provided in the co-main slot by the Cage Warriors lightweight title fight between [autotag]Mason Jones[/autotag] (8-0) and [autotag]Joe McColgan[/autotag] (6-2-1).

It’s just the latest set of changes in a turbulent week for the Cage Warriors team, who moved the entire event from London to Manchester on Tuesday after arena operator AEG closed down indigo at The O2 in the English capital.

Michael Bisping’s advice to panic buyers: Get a (expletive) grip!

UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] has never been one to mince his words, and his latest Instagram post is no different, as he shares an image showing the difference between World War II ration queues and panic-buying shoppers fighting over rolls of toilet paper during the 2020 coronavirus crisis.

Offering some perspective, Bisping took to social media to issue something of a public service announcement to his followers (via Instagram).

Get some self respect please. Respect this virus, of course. Employ social distancing, wash hands and remain 6 feet away from one another. The ladies at the top would of had they’re loved ones at war, cities being destroyed, millions of lives lost and still handled themselves with class. The embarrassments at the bottom are literally fighting over unnecessary toilet rolls and hand sanitizers. Get A (expletive) Grip!

Tuesday, March 17

Cage Warriors swaps London for Manchester

It looks like U.K.-based promotion Cage Warriors could have the only live MMA show in the world this weekend, and they remain determined to ensure Friday’s Cage Warriors 113 event goes ahead.

We’ve already seen fight card changes, with fighter replacements and even the addition of UFC fighters to the card. But news that arena operator AEG had closed the venue for Friday’s event, indigo at The O2, prompted more fears that the event would also be canceled.

But, less than hour after that announcement, Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan had secured the use of Manchester’s BEC Arena as the promotion gets set to move 220 miles north to keep the show alive.

Check out the full story here.

Khabib Nurmagomedov: I’ll fight Tony Ferguson anywhere, so long as we’re healthy

In an Instagram live chat along with manager Ali Abdelaziz, UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] made it clear that he values everyone’s health and safety.

But he made just as clear that if he and Tony Ferguson are both healthy, then he will fight Ferguson wherever the UFC could get cleared to put on UFC 249 on April 18, and put it behind closed doors.

“People who have quarantine and sit home, they have fun, they watch fights,” Nurmagomedov said. “Fighters go to the arena, they have fun, they do their job. I think we just need maximum 100 people to make this fight. One arena and 100 healthy people around and put a couple cameras and show this around the world – the two best lightweights of all time. This is a very important fight.”

Randa Markos wonders if she has coronavirus

UFC strawweight Randa Markos returned home to Canada on Wednesday feeling ill. Markos lost a unanimous decision to Amanda Ribas Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 28, in Brasilia, Brazil. Now she is concerned about whether she has contracted the virus after testers declined to test her upon her return from South America (via Twitter).

The event was closed to fans after the local government put a moratorium on all mass gatherings due to the pandemic. Fighters on the card were not tested for COVID-19.

The Canadian federal government is requiring all who return to the country from international travel to quarantine for 14 days.

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Khabib Numagomedov: ‘Any place, I don’t care’ where Tony Ferguson fight happens

The coronavirus pandemic is threatening the highly anticipated UFC 249 headliner, but Khabib Nurmagmedov is willing to do what it takes.

In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC is doing everything in its power to make UFC 249 happen – and thus save the long-anticipated megafight between lightweight champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and former interim champ [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] finally happen.

The company announced Monday that all events through April 11 are canceled. UFC 249 is scheduled for April 18 but will not be held at Barclays Center in New York, where it was originally slated, and likely not anywhere in the U.S.

As far as the defending champ is concerned, though, he’s willing to go wherever they’ll be allowed, so long as he’s able to fight.

“Honestly I don’t care,” Nurmagomedov said Tuesday during an Instagram live chat hosted by his manager, Ali Abdelaziz. “It’s going to be good if fight happens in the U.S. because I am here already for like one-and-a-half month. I’ve been training, and from this day we have like 30 days before the fight. Almost one month, and it’s going to be very good if we fight here in the U.S. But if not, any place. Any place, I don’t care.”

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Nurmagomedov acknowledged that health is of the utmost importance. But he also said that if he and Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) and their families are healthy then the event should continue, limited to 100 people in a closed-door facility.

“The most important thing is to be healthy,” Nurmagomedov said. “If we’re healthy, our family is healthy – this is the most important thing right now. We have to take care of ourselves. But if we’re healthy, OK, on this card, we have 13 fights. That’s 26 fighters and their corner. If they’re healthy and the UFC people who make show, like judges, athletic commission and everything – we need maximum 100 people inside the arena. Close the arena, 100 healthy people come inside and make the show. Put the camera, turn on pay-per-view, and all of us can make money. Everyone can fight.”

Nurmagomedov also sees the fight as a reason to entertain fans stuck at home, many of whom are expected to be under quarantine.

“People who have quarantine and sit home, they have fun, they watch fights,” he said. “Fighters go to the arena, they have fun, they do their job. I think we just need maximum 100 people to make this fight. One arena and 100 healthy people around and put a couple camera and show this around the world – the two best lightweights of all time. This is a very important fight.”

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At the end of the day,  Nurmagomedov understands what’s going on in the world, but he wants nothing more than to settle the longstanding questions on whom is the better fighter. And he expects to hear about a location from UFC president Dana White soon.

“Right now I am in my training camp since December,” the champ said. “January, February and now March, I hope the fight is going to happen. This is a very important fight, because the lightweight division have to move. We have to move. I don’t want – right now in lightweight division there’s a couple guys with six-win streak, seven-win streak. A lot of contenders come. I don’t want to hang the lightweight division. We do fight with Tony Ferguson, and we have to know who is the next contender.

“This is very important. Not just for me, for the UFC, for the fans – this is very important for the lightweight division. This is why I really want to fight with him. We have to fight, and I think the next couple days – yesterday I talked with Dana – Dana say they’re going to do everything that they can to keep this fight. We’ll see. Next couple days Dana is going to send us location.”

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Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kamaru Usman, Kayla Harrison debate merits of open scoring

Could it really work? Some of the sport’s biggest names weigh in.

LAS VEGAS – The idea of open scoring has come to light after some controversial decisions last month at UFC 247.

Invicta FC took initiative by implementing open scoring in its most recent event, which saw Julija Stoliarenko win the 135-pound title in a bloodbath with Lisa Verzosa.

During a recent Dominance MMA media day, a few champions were asked about their thoughts on open scoring and the perks of implementing it in MMA. UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] says while he sees advantages of open scoring, it can affect a fighter’s mentality while competing.

“For example, open score, first round is very close, and judges give for blue corner, and red corner doesn’t agree with this and not all fighters very strong mental,” Nurmagomedov said. “Sometimes he can go with his corner or with judges like, ‘Hey, what are you talking about, guys? I beat this guy.’ Like inside the fight, it can happen like maybe some fighters, first two rounds he lose, he can say, ‘OK, I’m out. I don’t want to fight no more.’ It’s like little bit dangerous, too.”

Nurmagomedov’s main issue, however, is not so much whether you know the score or not, but who’s judging the fights.

“I think in MMA, we have a lot of judges from boxing, and they don’t understand MMA,” Nurmagomedov said. “But I think we a have a lot of veterans. We have to teach them a little bit and put them like judges because a lot of guys don’t understand like wrestling, they don’t understand grappling, they don’t understand clinch. They know only like boxing, and that’s why I think we have to bring a lot of veterans and like MMA veterans … who understand MMA.”

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UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] notched his first title defense in a thriller at UFC 245, where he stopped Colby Covington late in the final round.

One judge had Usman up, the other had Covington, and the third judge had it tied at two rounds apiece, but Usman likes the concept of suspense, especially going into the later rounds.

“That element of being in the dark and not knowing, like he (Nurmagomedov) mentioned,” Usman said. “Fighters might not be mentally as strong as others, so having that little bit of hope of not knowing what the score is, even if the fighter lost the first two rounds, just having that little bit of hope. ‘You know what, I can still win this and go out there and give it all in the third round.’

“How many fights have we seen where a guy finishes someone with a second left or 10 seconds left. I think open scoring could potentially work, but also it could hurt that little bit of hope that fighters may have going into that last bit of the fight. And, plus, it takes away from the suspense.”

PFL lightweight champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] admits that she doesn’t know much about open scoring, but likes the idea of a fighter knowing where they’re at in a fight, especially when the judges can determine your fate.

“It shouldn’t be suspense who’s winning. Like, you should know who’s winning a fight,” Harrison said. “The judges shouldn’t be able to make those calls based on personal choices or whatever. If you are watching a fight, and you know the score, it should be clear-cut who’s winning the fight so it shouldn’t be a mystery. I mean, how many times have you been watching a fight, and you’re thinking that one guy is winning, and then all of a sudden the judges pull out the scorecard, and you’re like, ‘What? I never saw that coming.’

“That should totally be eliminated from the sport. I don’t know if open scoring is the way to do it, but that drives me nuts.”

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Dana White: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson still on, but probably not in United States

Dana White isn’t willing to let the fifth booking of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson fall by the wayside, even in the face of a pandemic.

Dana White isn’t willing to let the fifth booking of [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] fall by the wayside, even in the face of a worldwide pandemic.

In his first interview since he announced the cancellations of the March 21, March 28, and April 11 UFC events due to the coronavirus outbreak, White said the scheduled April 18 fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson will still happen.

“We’re postponing the next three events, but Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib (on) April 18 is still on,” White said on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “That will still happen.”

Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) vs. Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) was originally scheduled to take place at UFC 249 at Barclays Center in the New York borough of Brooklyn. However, due to the recent coronavirus outbreak, the event was pulled from the venue.

In order for the lightweight title fight to happen, White said the UFC will have to make some adjustments. The promotion will comply with any government guidelines, White said. This probably means bringing the fight outside of the United States and not having a crowd.

“We’re going to follow these guidelines to not have more than 10 people in a room,” White said. “We’re hoping this all clears up by April. This fight is going to happen. No crowd – whatever it takes. It probably won’t even be in the United States, but this fight is going to happen.”

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Khabib Nurmagomedov still doesn’t want to fight in Las Vegas

Khabib Nurmagomedov feels the same way about fighting in Las Vegas as he did in the immediate aftermath of UFC 229.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] likely won’t be competing in Las Vegas anytime soon.

Last time Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) fought in “Sin City,” he submitted Conor McGregor in October 2018 at UFC 229 and proceeded to jump out of the octagon and attack one of McGregor’s cornerman, Bellator fighter Dillon Danis, which incited a brawl.

The Nevada Athletic Commission temporarily withheld half of Nurmagomedov’s disclosed $2 million purse before fining him $500,000 for setting off the chaotic scene. It’s been almost a year-and-a-half since, but Nurmagomedov still has no interest in competing at T-Mobile Arena.

“I don’t think so,” Nurmagomedov said recently at Dominance MMA media day. “I don’t think so, but who knows? But my opinion if they do something, maybe I can come back.”

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Since UFC 229, Nurmagomedov has fought in the UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi, unifying the lightweight title with a third-round submission over Dustin Poirier at UFC 242.

He remains scheduled to face Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in Brooklyn on April 18, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and is more than happy to compete in the same place he became undisputed lightweight champion.

“(NAC) take almost $1 million from me, and they give me nine months, and right now I’m good with athletic commission, with everybody because I’m fighting in New York,” Nurmagomedov said. “Let’s fight in New York. New York is not bad place, I think.”

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