Conor McGregor takes aim at Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson as the lightweight rivals will no longer meet at UFC 249.
Nurmagomedov, who is currently stranded in Russia due to the coronavirus pandemic, has pulled out of his scheduled title-defence against Ferguson, which means their matchup is now cancelled for the fifth time.
“Staying home in quarantine and reading the reaction of people to the situation around my fight,” Khabib said in an Instagram post.
“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?”
“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.”
Scared And Running
A very upset Ferguson responded to Khabib’s announcement, saying the defending champion should be stripped of his lightweight title.
“I’m, of course, a little bit pissed. He was in Abu Dhabi, he had the chance to come back here before the borders were closed in Russia. He decided to go back to Dagestan, didn’t finish his camp,” the American fighter told Ariel Helwani.
“The guy does not want to fight. He’s scared. He’s running. He should be stripped of his title.”
“To me right there he’s running away. He knew what he could do to help save this card. He didn’t wanna take any of those chances.”
“Everybody’s taking risks but he bailed out. It’s pretty hard to explain but he bailed out.”
“You signed on the dotted line to represent your country, that’s what he said. He ran, he did everything he could to avoid that ass whooping.”
Tony Wins
While many were disappointed with the fallout, former 155-pound titlist Conor McGregor took the chance to mock the lightweight pair.
“The fact of this matter is, both Tony and Khabib where engaged in a game of chicken here towards the fight bell,” ‘The Notorious’ wrote.
“With Khabib chickening out first. Making it 3-2 in pullouts in Tony’s favour. Khab scurried out of the U.S to home, and amid the crisis. Very high risk. Congrats Tony.”
The Irishman returned to action last January and eked out an emphatic knockout win against Donald Cerrone.
Currently awaiting his next assignment, McGregor could fill the void left by Khabib in the April 18 fight card, with MMA fans already urging the UFC to book him against Ferguson for the interim lightweight title.
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ UFC and Conor McGregor)