Dana White speaks out on the status of UFC 249: “Khabib is…”
Those who thought that UFC 249 wouldn’t go down on account of Khabib Nurmagomedov being stranded in Russia were wrong, as Dana White recently announced.
Good things come to those who wait, is the saying. MMA fans have been unsure yet waiting eagerly for news on UFC 249. What was originally meant to take place in Brooklyn and finally feature Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson against each other ended up being something completely different. The New York State Athletic Commission formally shut down the event due to the ongoing pandemic. As the UFC scrambled to find a venue Nurmagomedov was subsequently stranded in Russia under a travel ban.
Now, the UFC have a solution for UFC 249, according to president Dana White.
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Responding to an incorrect report that White and Russian president Vladimir Putin had reached a special agreement, the UFC boss opened up. While white denied those claims he did say that UFC 249 will be happening, though without Nurmagomedov.
Absolutely NOT true!!! The card is happening but @TeamKhabib is out. I will announce the entire card tomorrow.
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 6, 2020
“Absolutely NOT true!!! The card is happening but [Khabib Nurmagomedov] is out. I will announce the entire card tomorrow.”
The UFC have offered Ferguson a replacement bout with Justin Gaethje, the number four ranked lightweight in the UFC. Initial reports state that the event will be going down in the United Arab Emirates, though that is unconfirmed. Speculations range from Florida to the outright absurd such as North Korea. There haev also been rumours that the heavyweight bout between Francis Ngannou and Jarizinho Rozenstruik will be relocated to UFC 249. We wont know until White makes the announcement, some time later during the day.
