Khabib – Ferguson Likely Off For UFC 249, White Looks To Move On Without Khabib Who Is Locked Down In Russia.

BY Scottie “The Context” White

The last standing hierarchy in combat sports with a voice, may be forced to change levels for a possible UFC 249 tap-out. UFC president Dana White amid the COVID-19 pandemic has in many ways sustained an aptitude of defiance. Globally in one facet or another, regional orders have been enforced as reactive measures to constrained the outbreaks of the COVID-19 outbreak.

But there may be a method to White standing his square in such a tumultuous epoch in our nation history. It’s an area of humanity for which we are forced to fight for our lives, a slow progression in searching for a panacea toward healing the infected citizens globally. The flicker of hope is; there have been citizens who have fully recovered from COVID-19 and that sense of recovery has kept White mental spike to search all avenues of approach in keeping the UFC 249 card buoyed.

UFC 249 scheduled for 18 April, at one point seemed to be moving past the shutdowns on run -flats, as White drove his intent over various speed bumps to move forward with this main-event by all means necessary. What is the big deal about this fight card you ask? It holds a huge blimp for both fighters in the headliner – Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0) versus Tony Ferguson (25-3). Two names paired together for a record fifth time but unfortunately has never made it to see the opening bell.

Lightweight champion Khabib is a Russian born fighter who trains at AKA American Kickboxing Academy, he’s undefeated in his active title reign at 155lbs, his top tier competition have all but faltered in dethroning the top pound4pound super star. For the challenger Ferguson, he’s a fighter who has never believed the hype from the champion, he’s been on schedule a total of four previous appointments to face Khabib ,only to have the showdown evaporate for various reasons. The pandemic has heighten travel restrictions bonded with global bans as a prevention to proactively slow the contagious potential of COVID-19. These restrictions have pummeled the combat sports community, all gatherings of any sport is prohibited which brings us to the potential fallout of UFC 249.

Lockdown isn’t a package with benefits, it’s applicable to everyone to include fighters, no matter what banner you contend under. Khabib who resides in his home country Russia outside of fight camp, returned back to the UAE with the impression the fight card may possibly relocate outside of the United States. Not so fast, Russia has now enacted their own travel restrictions to and from the country which removes Khabib off the card permanently. This ban pretty much absolves an itinerary of White moving the card to that footprint hosting UFC 249.

“We were training in the AKA without any information regarding the fight, where and how is it going to happen,” Khabib said, according to a translation from RT Sport. “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 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 borders. And no one will be able to leave or fly in, with exception for 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.” Khabib said.

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In light of the news, it only darkens the flicker of hope that MMA fans may have wished to see this fight card actually play out. White is holding firm in exhausting all opportunities, even if it means hosting the card without the champion Khabib. The champion responded.

“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 5 weeks of hard training in the 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.”

Previously, White have made claims for several locations to host this card during the pandemic but now the last man standing may be forced to lean back for the order “All Clear.” What does the fans think, if in fact White is successfully with this card in the mist of this deadly pandemic, will he stand to gain anymore notoriety for his unwillingness to concede the effort.