Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager and friend, Ali Abdelaziz has confirmed that UFC 249, which is headlined by Nurmagomedov and Ferguson, will happen as planned.
The pair are scheduled to face each other in the main event at UFC 248 on 18th April, 2020 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The governor of the state of New York recently announced that all large events with more than 500 people will be banned, due to the growing concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus, effective immediately.
Fans were immediately concerned regarding the status of UFC 249, which is set to happen in the state of New York. This comes in the wake of UFC Brasilia, which takes place this weekend in Brasilia, Brazil, being converted to a closed-door event.
Despite the concerns, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager and friend, Ali Abdelaziz announced on his Twitter that the event will happen as planned.
“Guys @TeamKhabib vs sunglasses is happening April 18. UFC always finds a way with or without fans this fight is going down people at home need entertainment,”
The fight is considered by some fans to be “cursed”. Nurmagomedov and Ferguson have been previously booked to fight 4 times in the past. Each time the fight fell through, with both fighters pulling out twice due to different health reasons.
All superstitions aside, Nurmagomedov will look to add another name to his unblemished professional MMA record (28-0) with a win over Ferguson. “The Eagle” is set for his 3rd title defence, since winning the vacant UFC lightweight title against Al Iaquinta at UFC 223. He bested the highly ranked Dustin Poirier in his last Octagon outing, winning via rear naked choke in the 2nd round.
Meanwhile, Ferguson is widely considered to be the best lightweight fighter on the planet. He will enter the contest on a 12-fight winning streak. Ferguson was last beaten by Michael Johnson back in 2012 and since then, “El Cucuy” has put together one of the best resumes in the division’s history. He holds notable wins over such fighters as Danny Castillo, Abel Trujillo, Gleison Tibau, Josh Thomson, Edson Barboza, Lando Vannata, Rafael dos Anjos, Kevin Lee, Anthony Pettis and more recently Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
This is one of the most highly anticipated matchups in the history of the sport and fans are praying that both fighters can make it to fight night without any hindrance.
This article first appeared on CLOSEDGUARDMEDIA.com on 13th March, 2020.
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