Khabib Quarantining, Fight With Ferguson Officially Off

It was almost inevitable that the UFC 249 fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson would be cancelled again. Once the coronavirus pandemic hit, and the UFC Lightweight Champion returned to Russia, travel restrictions were in play.

Now, the fight five years in the making adds another piece to the long timeline of cancellations.

Khabib (28-0) shared a post onto Instagram confirming that he would not be at UFC 249. This was to those who doubted his integrity or thought he could easily still make it to America for the fight. He will be quarantining like the rest of the world.

“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.”

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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. – 📍 Сижу дома на карантине и читаю реакцию людей на ситуацию вокруг моего боя, получается весь мир должен сидеть на карантине, правительства всех стран и известные люди всего мира призывают людей соблюдать требования безопасности, чтоб ограничить распространение болезни ради спасения людей, а Хабиб, освобождён от всех обязательств и должен демонстрировать свободу воли и тренироваться летая по всему миру рискуя своей жизнью ради боя ? – Я все понимаю и точно не меньше вас расстроен отменой боя, наверно у меня , как и у всех других, было много планов после боя, но я не в силах контролировать все это. Сверх державы и крупнейшие компании нашего времени в шоке от того, что происходит, каждый день ситуация меняется непредсказуемо. Но Хабиб все равно должен драться, так получается? – Берегите себя и поставьте себя на мое место.

A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Apr 1, 2020 at 12:02pm PDT

Khabib is referring to the coronavirus, which has affected the entire world. The UFC has been attempting to keep UFC 249 going, even after three events were forced to be postponed. Dana White has been adamant that the fight would take place no matter what. It appears that Khabib ended those hopes.

What now?

Justin Gaethje has been rumored to be Khabib’s replacement, but that is only if Ferguson accepts. The UFC is also looking into moving up Kamaru Usman v. Jorge Masvidal, or making Francis Ngannou v. Jairzinho Rozenstruik as the main event.

The company is trying to keep the event alive, even without Khabib. Stay tuned as updates should be given regarding UFC 249.