It looks like the fight is really cursed and MMA Gods don’t want the fans to see Tony Ferguson vs Khabib Nurmagomedov. The fight has been cancelled for the fifth time.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc around the world. Many sports organizations around the world are forced to shut their door amidst the pandemic. UFC also had to cancel three of its fight cards in wake of the outbreak.
Despite three of its events getting cancelled, UFC president Dana White was adamant about making sure UFC 249 takes place. He even said that the fight could take place outside of the United States.
However, with strict travel restrictions imposed in the US and Russia, the lightweight champion is stuck in Dagestan. Last night, the champ took to social media to announce his withdrawal from the fight.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cwOyOqml3/?utm_source=ig_embed
“Staying home in quarantine and reading the reaction of people to the situation around my fight, it turns out that the whole world should be in quarantine, governments of all countries, famous people around the world urge people to follow all safety requirements in order to limit the spread of the disease, to save people, and Khabib is the only one relieved of all obligations and must demonstrate free will and train flying around the world, for the sake of fight?” Nurmagomedov wrote on Instagram.
“I understand everything and I’m definitely upset more than you to cancel the fight, probably like all others, I had many plans after the fight, but I can’t control it all,” Nurmagomedov continued. “The greatest countries and the largest companies of our time are shocked by what is happening, every day the situation changes unpredictably. But Khabib still has to fight, is that what you saying?
“Take care of yourself and put yourself in my shoes.”
Here’s how Twitter reacted after Khabib pulled out of the fight:
I have to say, it's INCREDIBLE that enough dummies on social media made enough noise about Khabib Nurmagomedov being forced to quarantine in Russia, and accusing him of being "scared," that he actually had to post a statement asking them to think rationally. Just incredible.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 1, 2020
What if Khabib stuck in Russia was an early April fools?
— Funky (@Benaskren) April 1, 2020
A history of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson being cancelled:
🤕 2015: Khabib injured
🤒 2016: Tony injured
⚖️ 2017: Khabib has medical issues related to his weight cut
🦵 2018: Tony injured
😷 2020 – Khabib stuck in Russia due to the COVID-19 pandemic travel ban
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) April 1, 2020
I sympathize with Tony. I think we all do. He deserves to fight for an undisputed championship, arguably more than anyone in the history of the sport. But there is also no way Khabib should be stripped. https://t.co/L7i7RuHSSG
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 1, 2020
Damn. There was more than enough room for @TeamKhabib… https://t.co/Xi90qboaEr
— sameera khan (@SameeraKhan) April 1, 2020
Tony Ferguson should not fight anyone besides Khabib and Khabib should not fight anyone besides Tony. If that means they must postpone UFC249 then so be it.
— MacMally🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) April 1, 2020
Khabib pulled 3 times, Tony pulled 2 times…
Does this mean Tony Ferguson wins 48-47?
— Weasle (@ThaWeasle) April 2, 2020
Some MMA fans: Khabib is a pussy. He’s scared of a little teeny tiny virus and won’t leave Dagestan?
The same MMA fans: pic.twitter.com/1AAvXIQW3B
— MacMally🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) April 1, 2020
KhAbIb Is AfRaId Of ToNy pic.twitter.com/uJwHYpdzI8
— K (@tinymma) April 1, 2020
* jokes about any other fighter than Khabib *
Their fan base: hahaha 🤣🤣 funny
* Jokes about Khabib *
Khabib fans : pic.twitter.com/e9fnhuGYKT
— Ajith (@TwistedDarce) April 2, 2020
Khabib's says "put yourself in my shoes".
So do it:
You're an undefeated champion concerned with legacy, training camp has been thrown into disarray. You travel from the US to Russia, Abu Dhabi, back to Russia.
These are not circumstances conducive to competing at your best.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) April 1, 2020
me waiting for Khabib to say sike after his most recent Instagram post: pic.twitter.com/1DW5cwmzRD
— MacMally🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) April 1, 2020
In an parallel universe, UFC fans are complaining about Khabib & Tony fighting each other for the 5th time.
— Cerebral Vigilante (@Delisketo) April 1, 2020
Tony Ferguson is the type of guy to fly a private jet to Russia , pick up Khabib, fly him back to the United States and land the plane backwards all while holding a baseball in his hand
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) April 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/MMAHistoryToday/status/1245441632733925377?s=20
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