UFC 249 could be back on as Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier offer to step in to replace stranded fighter Khabib
UFC 249 could be back on as Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier offered to step in and replace stranded Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The fight night looked certain to be off due to the coronavirus pandemic which has wiped out pretty much the entire sporting calendar.
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Khabib was due to take on fellow lightweight Tony Ferguson at the Barclays Center in New York on April 18.
UFC president Dana White was adamant against all odds he would finally have the two lightweights face each other in the octagon, even if it was in an empty arena and thousands of miles away from America.
But as Russia tightened their lockdown restrictions due to the global spread of coronavirus, 31-year-old Khabib has revealed he has been left grounded.
That looked to be that – the event was off.
Now, though, there is a chance it could be back on again with Masvidal and Poirier offering their services.
After the news of Khabib’s lockdown broke, Masvidal took to Twitter and wrote: “April 18 I’m free #theresurrection.”
And just an hour later Poirier shared a punching Gif, with the caption: “I’ll fight,” then replied “yes” when asked if he would take the Ferguson fight should he be offered it.
Poirier’s last bout came at UFC 242 with his submission defeat to Khabib.
Masvidal has not fought at lightweight in more than four years – however the welterweight, ranked No3, is willing to make an exception for a shot at Ferguson.
According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Ferguson has been offered a fight against the promising lightweight challenger Justin Gaethje.
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Helwani said on Twitter: “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.”
Another major problem for the UFC is that they are still without a confirmed venue should they even manage to get two fighters willing and able to do battle.
That is because the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) has refused to sanction the event due to the increasing danger and seriousness of Covid-19.
