Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov targeted for UFC on FOX 19

UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson was supposed to fight Michael Johnson at UFC 197, but now he’s lined up to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov in April.

A few days ago, the UFC announced surging lightweight contender Tony Ferguson (20-3) would rematch Michael Johnson at UFC 197 in Las Vegas on March 5th. These two fought once before in May 2012, with Johnson scoring the unanimous decision win, which stands as the only loss in Ferguson’s UFC career.

There has been a change of plans, however. Ferguson tweeted that Michael Johnson is having surgery, which otherwise infers that the fight is off, and then followed that up by teasing a major announcement was coming soon.

Never make Dec on Empty Stomach @FollowTheMenace Hope For a Good Surgery & Speedy Rec. Always after my Interviews… pic.twitter.com/yZM7vR8vyH

— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) January 27, 2016

Big News Coming Soon!!! #TeamElCucuy Get Fucking Excited!!!!! pic.twitter.com/7qKCVaoDxr

— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) January 27, 2016

It didn’t take long for the big news to arrive, as MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani confirmed that Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to make his return against “El Cucuy” at UFC on FOX 19 in April. UFC officials have not officially announced the contest.

Nurmagomedov (22-0) was supposed to fight Ferguson at the TUF 22 Finale last month, but pulled out with a rib injury. He has not fought since a unanimous decision win over current lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on FOX 11 in April 2014. Injuries have prevented Nurmagomedov from returning to the Octagon on three separate occasions, including a pair of bouts vs. Donald Cerrone at UFC 178 and 187, as well as the aforementioned Ferguson bout. Sources told Bloody Elbow that Khabib is expected to return to AKA in February.

It’s unknown whether or not this will be three rounds or serve as the five-round main event, although this was originally scheduled for three rounds the last time it was scheduled. Either way, it’s a big fight that likely determines the next title contender at 155 lbs, and hopefully we actually get to see it happen come April 16th.

UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson was supposed to fight Michael Johnson at UFC 197, but now he’s lined up to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov in April.

A few days ago, the UFC announced surging lightweight contender Tony Ferguson (20-3) would rematch Michael Johnson at UFC 197 in Las Vegas on March 5th. These two fought once before in May 2012, with Johnson scoring the unanimous decision win, which stands as the only loss in Ferguson’s UFC career.

There has been a change of plans, however. Ferguson tweeted that Michael Johnson is having surgery, which otherwise infers that the fight is off, and then followed that up by teasing a major announcement was coming soon.

It didn’t take long for the big news to arrive, as MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani confirmed that Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to make his return against “El Cucuy” at UFC on FOX 19 in April. UFC officials have not officially announced the contest.

Nurmagomedov (22-0) was supposed to fight Ferguson at the TUF 22 Finale last month, but pulled out with a rib injury. He has not fought since a unanimous decision win over current lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on FOX 11 in April 2014. Injuries have prevented Nurmagomedov from returning to the Octagon on three separate occasions, including a pair of bouts vs. Donald Cerrone at UFC 178 and 187, as well as the aforementioned Ferguson bout. Sources told Bloody Elbow that Khabib is expected to return to AKA in February.

It’s unknown whether or not this will be three rounds or serve as the five-round main event, although this was originally scheduled for three rounds the last time it was scheduled. Either way, it’s a big fight that likely determines the next title contender at 155 lbs, and hopefully we actually get to see it happen come April 16th.