Lightweight Champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Khabib Nurmagomedov may not get to face Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 due to travel restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. Nurmagomedov announced on Instagram live that he is at home in Dagestan, Russia, and is not able to fight Ferguson on April 18.
"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," he said.
Nurmagomedov suggested on Instagram Live that UFC might book another opponent to face Ferguson. "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," Sports Illustrated cited Khabib as saying.
UFC 249 was originally scheduled to take place in Brooklyn next month. That location was nixed since New York City has become the epicenter of the coronavirus in the U.S., but UFC president Dana White recently said it will be a closed-door event held at another location.
