UFC 249 is back on, Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson is not

Just after its postponement owing to COVID-19, UFC 249 is now formally again on. It was introduced on April 21st that the advertising has been moved to Might 9th, and will be held in Jacksonville, Florida. Nevertheless, it is not the substantially-predicted fight involving Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson that followers have been ready for. Alternatively, Tony will be up in opposition to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249.

At first, Khabib Nurmagomedov was expected to go up against Tony Ferguson to make the third protection of his UFC Lightweight Championship at this party. Even so, he experienced to pull out owing to vacation limits relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nurmagomedov-Ferguson battle has arrive to be known as the most cursed match in the history of overcome sporting activities. This is the fifth time this battle has been scheduled, and then not taken place, in 5 decades. The former occasions of the bout amongst the two ideal lightweights in the world remaining shelved are:

 — 2015: The Best Fighter 22 Finale: canceled when Khabib bowed out because of to a rib injuries.

 — 2016: UFC on Fox 19: canceled when Tony withdrew eleven days ahead of the fight owing to a lung difficulty.

— 2017: UFC 209: canceled when Khabib was hospitalized because of troubles with slicing body weight.

— 2018: UFC 223: canceled when Tony tripped above a cable and tore his lateral collateral ligament, demanding operation.

This provides us up to date with UFC 249 occurring in 2020. Khabib Nurmagomedov was to experience Tony Ferguson for the UFC Light-weight Championship. Both of those are on 12 fight profitable streaks in the UFC, both of those are amongst the major 10 pound for pound fighters in the world, and both of those are among the greatest lightweights of all time. And now the match has been canceled, yet again, for the fifth time, thanks to a pandemic that no one particular observed coming.