Khabib Nurmagomedov punching Michael Johnson (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

After several weeks of debate and speculation as to whether Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson will fight next, the UFC has announced that the two will battle for an interim lightweight title March 4th.

The fight will be part of UFC 209, which will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nurmagomedov and Ferguson both expressed an interest in fighting each other, after it was reported that the expecting father, and 155 champ Conor McGregor, is taking a break.

Ferguson (22-3) is coming off a decision win over former champ Rafael dos Anjos in November, and has won 9 in a row.

Nurmagomedov (24-0), meanwhile, submitted Michael Johnson in his last outing, which also took place in November.

UFC 209 will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between champion Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson.