UFC president Dana White was forced to preface Sunday night's announcement by stating it was not an April Fools joke.
Once again Tony Ferguson has been forced to withdraw from a fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov. This time, it was scheduled to be for the lightweight title at UFC 223 in New York on this coming Saturday night. Ferguson and Nurmagomedov have now had fights canceled on four separate occasions.
A knee injury was the reason for Ferguson's forced withdrawal. The 34-year-old Ferguson tweeted last night that he suffered a torn knee ligament on a studio set during his media obligations for Saturday night.
Into the breach has stepped Max Holloway. On just six days notice, the Hawaiian - and also current UFC featherweight champion - will face Nurmagomedov for the undisputed lightweight title.
That is a belt currently held by Conor McGregor and it is one he will lose when Holloway and Nurmagomedov enter the octagon.
Dana White told ESPN that Conor McGregor had not been considered as a replacement for Ferguson.
"I don't think Conor McGregor could make the weight on six days' notice," said White.
That's a tough weight cut for him. And Conor is not the guy I want to throw in as a late replacement fighter. He's a guy I want to make a fight with and have the right amount of time to promote the fight.
I think Conor could return in September, and it could be against one of these guys.
BOOM!!!!!! We got Khabib vs The Champ Max Holloway for the 155lb title this Saturday in Brooklyn New York!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/quvI3UqGXh
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 1, 2018
Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE
