UFC 209: Official Weigh-in
Khabib Nurmagomedovs title bout with Tony Ferguson at UFC 209 will not go ahead after the Dagestani fighter was taken to hospital with weight management issues.
UFC issued a statement shortly after weigh-ins on Friday to say that Saturdays co-main event in Las Vegas had been cancelled on the doctors recommendation. It represents the third time a matchup between the two has been called off.
Nurmagomedov was taken to hospital on Thursday after struggling to make weight for the 155lb title limit. According to the ufc statement, he was treated and discharged, but failed to appear at Fridays official early weigh-ins. Ferguson came in at 154.5lbs.
Shortly after the announcement, Ferguson tweeted: I hope you feel better Khabib. I pray for your recovery. I mean it: get better.
Nurmagomedovs manager Ali Abdel-Aziz told MMA Fighting: I feel bad for Tony and his camp, I really do. The most important thing right now is Khabibs health. Hes currently resting in his room. Were not thinking about whats next at this time. I want to sincerely apologize to Tony, his team, the UFC and the fans. We were all looking forward to this fight very much.
It was not yet confirmed whether the fight will be booked for a later date. Officials did not say which fight from Saturdays undercard would be bumped up to the main card.
The main event from UFC 209 will go ahead as scheduled after Tyron Woodley and Stephen Wonderboy Thompson both made weight on Friday morning.
Nurmagomedov and Ferguson were set to meet for the interim lightweight title while Conor McGregor is on hiatus. McGregor is awaiting the birth of his first child in May.
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNFZO22JdY1QdROABP4Mp1ORtSKa5A&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52779396253375&ei=B_W6WLj5CYiH3AHj_biACg&url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/03/ufc-209-khabib-nurmagomedov-tony-ferguson
