The Ultimate Fighting Championship has released the line-up for the revamped UFC 249 fight card set for April 18.
The UFC 249 is one of the most anticipated pay-per-view events in the promotion’s history as it is initially slated to feature an exciting lightweight title fight between defending champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and number one contender Tony Ferguson for its main event.
Originally, the fight card was set to take place at Barclays Center in New York but was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Out of an abundance of caution and in line with recent guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and New York State, the New York State Athletic Commission informed the U.F.C. that U.F.C. 249 cannot be held in New York,” the NYSAC said.
Because of travel restrictions, fighters who live outside the United States are removed from the roster as the UFC plans to feature an All-American lineup to save the event.
Interim Title Fight
The UFC 249’s biggest loss is undoubtedly the undefeated Russian champion, who decided to stay in Russia despite the possibilities of flying to the US via private jet.
Replacing Khabib in the main event is Justin Gaethje, who will try to end Ferguson’s 12-fight winning streak to capture the interim lightweight title.
The strawweight fight between former champions Jessica Andrade and Rose Namajunas will co-headline the event while a heavyweight clash between Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik serves as the biggest addition to the line up.
Former NFL player Greg Hardy seeks to return to the win column, following a no-contest at UFC Boston and a unanimous decision loss to Alexander Volkov at UFC Moscow, when he takes on Yorgan De Castro.
Other fights to watch out for on April 18 are the middleweight clash between Uriah Hall and Ronaldo Sauza and the featherweight showdown between Jeremy Stephens and Calvin Kattar.
Check out the full line up for UFC 249 below:
UFC 249 Fight Card Full Line Up
MAIN CARD
Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje
Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan De Castro
Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price
Jeremy Stephens vs. Calvin Kattar
UNDERCARD
Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Uriah Hall vs. Ronaldo Souza
Alexander Hernandez vs. Omar Morales
Marlon Vera vs. Ray Borg
Michael Johnson vs. Khama Worthy
Sijara Eubanks vs. Sarah Moras
Ryan Spann vs. Sam Alvey
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Greg Hardy, Tony Ferguson, Francis Ngannou, and Calvin Kattar)