Khabib
Nurmagomedov vs. Tony
Ferguson might be the most cursed bout in Ultimate Fighting
Championship history, but there’s an outside chance the two
lightweights could still meet in the Octagon.
In an interview with
Sports Illustrated, UFC president Dana White implied that the
Nurmagomedov-Ferguson matchup might not be dead yet – provided a
couple things happen. Nurmagomedov is currently slated to defend
his lightweight crown against Justin
Gaethje at UFC 254 on Oct. 24, while Ferguson has not fought
since falling to Gaethje in an interim 155-pound title tilt at UFC
249 on May 9.
“If Khabib does beat Gaethe, you get Tony
Ferguson another fight, which we’re working on right now,”
White said. “And hopefully that fight with Khabib happens because I
know people want to see it.”
The promotion has already tried to book Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson
on five different occasions, and each time the bout has fallen
through for various reasons. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic
nixed their scheduled clash on April 18. Just as unbelievable was
when Ferguson injured his knee while tripping on a wire prior to
UFC 223. Mix in a various assortment of injuries and weight-cut
issues, and the fight just seems like it isn’t meant to be.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fight fall apart as many times as
those two,” White said. “It almost scares me to make the fight
again. What’s going to happen? An asteroid comes to earth? That’s
the level of bad this thing is.”