Amidst concerns - Khabib Nurmagomedov leaves for Russia -

As drastic changes have been made as t he ongoing pandemic continues, Khabib Nurmagomedov has now let San Diego for his native Russia.

With less than a month left before UFC 249 is scheduled to take place, the event still lacks a location. The main event sees UFC Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, the first UFC champ out of Russia, against former interim champ Tony Ferguson.

Nurmagomedov was taking training seriously, intent on facing Ferguson. According to his friend and training partner Daniel Cormier, their team at The American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in California, have been entirely supportive. Despite a ban on public gatherings, AKA has been open two hours a day, for Nurmagomedov and his training partners only. Cormier revealed this on the UFC Unfiltered podcast.

Now the gym was forced to close its doors, and Nurmagomedov has now left for his native Russia, according to Russian outlet TASS. According to other reports he has in fact made his way back to Dagestan, the autonomous region of Russia that he hails from.

UFC 249 was originally set for Brooklyn, April 18th, however the New York State Athletic Commission has officially cancelled the event. UFC president Dana White maintains that the fight will happen, though as of now only reports and rumours exist regarding a place. The UFC boss is sure, however, that fans will see Nurmagomedov vs Ferguson.

“I have my own arena,” White said. “I have my own production, I have everything, I have everything you need to put on events. So there isn’t much that I can’t pull off.”

According to Nurmagomedov’s father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the UFC are also considering a venue in the United Arab Emirates, where the last UFC lightweight title fight was held.

▶️ Follow us on Youtube for the best & latest MMA content ▶️