There have been widespread doubts about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s ability to attend UFC 249, and now it looks like the lightweight champ’s confirmed he will not fight Tony Ferguson, April 18th.
Nurmagomedov recently headed back to Russia to complete his training camp for UFC 249. But, since then, Russia has also enacted a travel ban due to the coronavirus pandemic. More recently, Nurmagomedov shared out the statement below on Instagram.
Staying home in quarantine and reading the reaction of people to the situation around my fight, it turns out that the whole world should be in quarantine, governments of all countries, famous people around the world urge people to follow all safety requirements in order to limit the spread of the disease, to save people, and Khabib is the only one relieved of all obligations and must demonstrate free will and train flying around the world, for the sake of fight? – I understand everything and I’m definitely upset more than you to cancel the fight, probably like all others, I had many plans after the fight, but I can’t control it all.
The greatest countries and the largest companies of our time are shocked by what is happening, every day the situation changes unpredictably.
But Khabib still has to fight, is that what you saying? –
Take care of yourself and put yourself in my shoes.
Dana White has repeatedly insisted that the UFC will find a way to hold UFC 249, despite the extensive restrictions on public gatherings and travel that have been enacted in an effort to battle the pandemic.
