Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
UFC president Dana White lays out the immediate scenario of the lightweight division’s title picture.
There is a lot at stake for the winner of UFC 249’s headliner fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. As UFC president Dana White confirmed, the winner and new interim lightweight champion will challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov to unify the 155-pound titles.
“The Ferguson vs. Gaethje fight is one of the most violent fights you will see,” White told ESPN during an Instagram Live session (via MMA Junkie). “I can guarantee that. This fight is going to be incredible. The winner will fight Khabib for the title.
“This is for the interim. 100 percent (the winner fights Khabib).”
However, the winner will have to wait until the latter part of the year, when the undefeated champion becomes available to fight again.
“Khabib will be back in September or October,” said White.
UFC 249 takes place on May 9th in Jacksonville, Florida. Also part of the card is a bantamweight title fight between Henry Cejudo and Dominick Cruz.