The fight goes on for UFC
As the rest of the sports world shuts down due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC is pressing ahead with plans to hold an event next next month and the mixed martial arts promotion may have passed its biggest hurdle.
After holding a show behind closed doors in Brazil two weeks ago, the UFC postponed its next three events through to April 11. However, UFC president Dana White has repeatedly said the lightweight title showdown between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson would still take place – just a week later – on April 19 (NZ time).
The biggest stumbling block has, of course, been where? UFC 249, which is headlined by Nurmagomedov and Ferguson, was originally scheduled to take place in Brooklyn before New York issued an order restricting mass gatherings, as have many other cities around the globe.
But while he did not disclose specific details, White has since revealed they have all-but secured a new location for the closed-door event and sounded as confident as ever of it going ahead.
‘‘Trust me, Khabib has been telling me every day, ‘Send location,’’’ White told ESPN. ‘‘I have it. It’s 99.9%. On April 18, we are having this fight.’’
White has previously said the fight would likely take place outside of the US, with Abu Dhabi rumoured to be one possible landing spot. There are several factors why the UFC is so determined to push on with the payper-view card – the most obvious being money.
The bout between Nurmagomedov, the lightweight champion, and Ferguson is one of the most anticipated of the year. With Conor McGregor, the UFC’s most marketable star, waiting in the wings for the winner – and a potential blockbuster rematch against Nurmagomedov should he defend his title – the financial stakes could not get much bigger for the promotion.
But that is not the only reason. Nurmagomedov and Ferguson are two of the best lightweights of their generation – the champion is a perfect 28-0 while Ferguson (25-3) is riding a 12-fight win streak.
Five years after they were first scheduled to meet, White seems to have made it his personal mission to ensure they finally square off in the octagon.
The matchup has already been cancelled on four previous occasions due to injury and weigh-in issues. Many have labelled it cursed as a result and with the coronavirus outbreak threatening to derail this latest attempt, it’s easy to see why.
White actually vowed to never book the fight again when Ferguson was forced out in April, 2018, after tripping and hurting his knee during a media tour.
But the demand from fans has never wavered. Having eventually come around to giving it one more try, White is refusing to let anything – not even a global catastrophe – get in his way.
The American promoter has been widely criticised for his attitude, to which he responded with a staunch defence of the UFC’s track record on health and safety, adding that no one would be forced to take part.
Nurmagomedov and Ferguson have continued to train, while White expects UFC 249 to include a full slate of fights, although it may feature a different lineup than originally advertised. Heavyweight Francis Ngannou, whose bout against Jairzinho Rozenstruik was postponed, told Submission Radio he had been tested for COVID-19 and there was a chance he could be added to the card.