Another big title fight has fallen through, proving yet again that MMA fans can’t have nice things.
This time it was Khabib Nurmagomedov who was forced to withdraw from his interim lightweight title fight against Tony Ferguson at UFC 209’s main event.
It’s arguably the most intriguing fight the UFC can possibly put on, but for some reason, the universe seems hell bent on stopping it from ever happening. This was the third time the fight fell through after being scheduled, only this time the stakes were higher with that coveted golden strap on the line.
Although the Dagestani is definitely not fighting on Saturday night, there’s still a chance we could see ‘El Cucuy’ make an appearance after he came in on weight.
Very big of him #UFC209 https://t.co/rWaS5UWkJe
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 3, 2017
Lando Vannata, who’s set to face Sweden’s David Teymur on the main card has already thrown his hat into the ring. ‘Groovy’ has history with Ferguson, after impressing but ultimately losing his promotional debut to the streaking lightweight.
He took the fight on extremely short notice when Ferguson was closing in on his own title shot and had him rocked in the first round. However, Ferguson dug deep and pulled the submission out of the bag in the second stanza.
I know a guy.
— Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) March 3, 2017
The replacement fighter that looks more likely though is Michael Johnson. Although ‘the Menace’ is coming off a grueling submission loss to Nurmagomedov at UFC 205, he does have the claim of being the last fighter to beat Ferguson.
He defeated ‘El Cucuy’ via unanimous decision at UFC on Fox 3 in 2012. Since then Johnson has gone 6-5 inside the Octagon while Ferguson is trying to bring his impressive win-streak up to 10.
Michael Johnson confirms to me via text he's trying to get the fight with Tony Ferguson. "We're waiting on a response."
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 3, 2017
Tony Ferguson isn't off the card. A Michael Johnson bout is in the works, though there is work to do as far as sanctioning the fight #UFC209
— Adam Hill (@AdamHillLVRJ) March 3, 2017
Michael Johnson has confirmed to the Review-Journal that he has accepted the fight and the process is underway to making it happen.
— Adam Hill (@AdamHillLVRJ) March 3, 2017
Watch this space.
