Khabib Nurmagomedov breaks his silence about the ongoing speculations that the UFC 249 fight card might get cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Russian champion is set to defend his 155-pound title against Tony Ferguson in the main event of UFC 249 next month in what many dubbed as the ‘most anticipated fight in UFC history.
The much-awaited title bout will go down at Barclays Center in New York, the second state with the most number of COVID-19 cases in the US.
This is why mixed martial arts fans are worried the Khabib-Ferguson curse might strike again and their lightweight title clash might be scrapped for the fifth time.
The pair has been booked for four times in the past but the fight never materialized because of freak injuries and health issues.
The state of New York has banned all large gatherings effective March 13, adding concerns that the April fight card could be the next casualty in the sporting world.
No One Knows
The Nevada-based promotion will be holding the UFC Fight Night 170 in Brazil this weekend behind closed doors while the UFC Columbus will be moved to Las Vegas later this month.
For the highly-anticipated UFC 249 fight card, the UFC has yet to reveal its plans whether it will become a closed-door event or will be moved to a later date.
But the recent scare will not stop the lightweight champion from getting into full shape for his upcoming title defense.
The Dagestani wrestling-machine has taken to Instagram to respond to UFC 249 concerns.
“I don’t understand what is going on outside the gym. I am in the gym and I am working hard. What will happen next no one knows. #ufc249 #ufcBrooklyn #andstill,” he wrote. (See post below)
Nurmagomedov is coming off a third-round submission win over Dustin Poirier and remains unscathed in 28 professional bouts including 12 straight victories in the UFC.
Concerned
Earlier this week, UFC president Dana White said the promotion is not going to cancel the event but they will definitely consider the fighters and fans’ safety.
“When it comes to safety of the athletes and the fans and everything else, no matter where we go or what we do, we’re always concerned,” White said.
“We’ve been thinking about this for weeks. [UFC] Dr [Jeffrey] Davidson has been involved. I don’t know what else to say other than that.”
“We’re not cancelling the event.”
Days after White’s comments, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic, which forced some major sport leagues like the NBA to suspend its current season.
This led to some MMA fans speculating the Khabib-Ferguson lightweight title fight could be in jeopardy.
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Fegruson)