There will be blood.
Earlier today, UFC President Dana White announced via Instagram that not only would UFC 249 go on as planned, but that Justin Gaethje would replace a home-bound Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event against Tony Ferguson. The bout will be held April 18 for the interim lightweight belt, according to White.
Continuing a series of cancellations, it appears fans will have to wait a bit longer to see Khabib and Ferguson exchange blows. The winner of the interim bout will next face Nurmagomedov to unify the title. Ferguson and Gaethje enter with 12 and three fight winning streaks respectively, their most recent wins both coming over fan favorite competitor Cowboy Cerrone.
With the ongoing pandemic, there’s no word on a location for the card but it will be streamed through ESPN + according to White. A tweet from MMA journalist Ariel Helwani states the location will be on the west coast, but no more details are currently available.
The JJT will follow this story as it develops.
