Dana White Hopes Tony Ferguson Can Fight on Same Card as Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor

Tony Ferguson is on the comeback trail but he’s going to have to watch as Khabib Nurmagomedov will face Conor McGregor later this year with the UFC lightweight title on the line.

Ferguson was scheduled to meet Nurmagomedov at UFC 223 in April but a freak accident while doing media rounds ended with “El Cucuy” suffering a knee injury that forced him off the event.

He then underwent surgery on his knee, which was expected to keep him out for the majority of 2018 except that Ferguson has ended up way ahead of schedule thanks to his arduous rehabilitation routine.

Despite his expectations to fight sooner rather than later, Ferguson has still be stripped of his interim lightweight title and he won’t get the next shot at the champion no matter how much he might deserve it.

Instead, Nurmagomedov is expected to meet McGregor with the potential matchup likely to take place in either October at UFC 229 or November at UFC 230. Meanwhile, UFC president Dana White says he hopes to welcome Ferguson back to the Octagon very soon — maybe even on the same night the lightweight title is up for grabs.

“I would love to put him on the same card as Khabib and Conor,” White said about Ferguson’s return to action on Friday following the UFC on FOX 30 weigh-ins

It’s entirely possible that White has the idea to put Ferguson on the card against a different opponent to allow him to serve as a back up just in case something happens to either main event fighter.

The UFC has been employing that tactic more and more often in recent months as fights have continuously fallen apart just days before an event is scheduled to take place.

Having Ferguson scheduled on the same card could allow him to serve as the replacement if either Nurmagomedov or McGregor aren’t able to fight.

Add to that, Ferguson facing off against another legitimate contender could then secure the next fighter in line to take on the winner of Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor.