Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson are set to settle the score.
Multiple sources have now confirmed that UFC Interim Lightweight champion Tony Ferguson will face off with #1 contender Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223 in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center on April 7.
It is yet unknown whether the fight will be for Ferguson’s interim Lightweight title, or for the undisputed title which would be stripped from Conor McGregor. McGregor has been inactive as champion for almost two years in one of the most talent-rich divisions in the UFC and many are calling for his belt to be vacated.
McGregor is also 4-1 in his last five fights, (not counting getting KO’d in boxing), and has only one fight at Lightweight. Meanwhile Ferguson is on a ten fight winning streak at Lightweight, and Nurmagomedov is 25-0 in his professional MMA career.
Ferguson vs Nurmagomedov has been scheduled to happen several times dating back to 2015. Their first two fights were cancelled due to injuries. The third fight, set to occur last March at UFC 209, was called off when Khabib was hospitalized while weight cutting days before the event.
Nurmagomedov’s last fight was a complete three-round mauling of Edson Barboza at UFC 219 on Dec. 30. Tony’s last outing won him the interim belt in a third-round stoppage against Kevin Lee at UFC 219.
It is highly likely that McGregor will be stripped, for a majority of reasons. First is public pressure, it is ridiculous for force Ferguson to defend his Interim belt while McGregor sits inactive with the undisputed belt. Dana White has also publicly said they will strip McGregor if he is not willing to fight until late 2018.
In many ways losing the belt actually plays to McGregor’s favor. It will improve his opinion among those who think he no longer deserves it, and give him a psychological advantage. McGregor has always been the contender, always fighting for bigger and better things. He loves to be the conqueror and prove the doubters wrong. By letting Khabib and Tony fight for the belt he can swoop in and challenge the victor. If he beats the winner of Khabib and Tony it’s as if he’s beaten them both.
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