Tony Ferguson

By FCF Staff

Although no location has been announced yet for the April 18th, UFC 249 card, the promotion has announced that Tony Ferguson will battle Justin Gaethje for an interim lightweight title on that date.

UFC 249 was originally booked to take place in Brooklyn, New York, with Khabib Nurmagomedov defending the lightweight title against Ferguson. But, due to bans on travel and public gatherings because of the coronavirus, the UFC was forced to look for a new location. Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, is now stranded in Russia.

Recently UFC President Dana White announced the new headliner via the tweet below.

The fight is signed and is 100% ON LIVE on ESPN somewhere on EARTH!!!! 😃@TonyFergusonXT vs @Justin_Gaethje is LIVE on @espn+ PPV April 18th for the interim lightweight belt!

Ferguson (25-3) hasn’t fought since he recorded a TKO win (due to doctor stoppage) over Donald Cerrone last June. Gaethje (21-2), meanwhile, finished Cerrone in the opening round in his last outing, which took place in September.