Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Tony Ferguson calls out Khabib Nurmagomedov on Twitter.
Dana White may finally be out of options for UFC 249, as Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed earlier today that is he currently stuck in Russia due to the government’s recently enforced cross-border travel ban to tackle coronavirus.
“Everyone should follow the laws,” Khabib said. “I am not against it. I know that fighters need to feed their families and pay their bills. I know how hard it is for the fighter. Unless they fight they aren’t getting any money.”
Tony Ferguson soon got word of Khabib’s comments and responded via Twitter, accusing the undefeated lightweight champion of trying to weasel his way out of UFC 249.
April 18 Is Getting Close @TeamKhabib & You’re Hiding In Russia. Travel Bans Will Not Prevent Me From Whoopin’ That Ass. Don’t Use It As An Excuse To Back Out. You Have Been Sent Many Locations, Send Us 1. Still My Bitch #DefendorVacate MF ?? -CSO- #ufc249 @ufc @danawhite pic.twitter.com/TVQH4mnG2e
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) March 30, 2020
“April 18 Is Getting Close @TeamKhabib & You’re Hiding In Russia. Travel Bans Will Not Prevent Me From Whoopin’ That Ass. Don’t Use It As An Excuse To Back Out. You Have Been Sent Many Locations, Send Us 1. Still My Bitch #DefendorVacate,” Ferguson posted on Monday.
With Khabib likely out of the matchup, the UFC is reportedly looking to book Justin Gaethje as his replacement, per ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
As a result, Tony Ferguson, per sources, has been offered a fight against top contender Justin Gaethje, however, that fight has not been agreed upon nor finalized. Neither has a location for the event.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 30, 2020
Bloody Elbow will keep you updated as this story develops.