K. Nurmagomedov (left) and T. Ferguson (right) face-off in 2018. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc
For years, combat sports have delighted enthusiasts with historic presentations. For the most nostalgic, how can we not remember the remarkable encounter between Muhammad Ali against George Foreman, in 1974. In MMA, many were eager to watch battles like Wanderlei Silva against Cuck Liddell in his prime, and the superfights between 'Anderson Silva x Jon Jones or Georges St.Pierre'. However, currently, there is one specific confrontation that insists on not getting off the ground: Khabib Nurmagomedov e Tony Ferguson.
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Five times, the UFC tried to select two of the best athletes in recent lightweight history to exchange forces in the Octagon, but, on each occasion, there was an incident that forced the fighters to leave the show. Like karma, fate, or destiny, it seems that the episode will repeat itself for the fifth time.
The beginning
To give you an idea, the desire to promote the battle between Khabib and Ferguson began in 2015, when the fighters were scheduled to face each other in one of the presentations in the TUF final (The Ultimate Fighter 22), in December of that year. At the time, the Russian ended up out of the duel due to a rib injury.
second attempt
Even without the fame they enjoy today, athletes had a new opportunity to show their superiority over others. In 2016, the UFC tried to remarry the fight, but a health problem took Ferguson out of the fight.
The 'Contaminated Tiramisu'
More tours and with great presentations within Ultimate, in 2017 the company tried to promote the first title fight between them. The fight would be valid for the interim lightweight title, due to the removal of the former champion, Conor McGregor, who was preparing for the superfight against Floyd Mayweather, in boxing. Everything was well on its way to being a great spectacle, but, again, as fate would have it, misfortune did not allow for 'war'.
This time, Nurmagomedov felt unwell during his weight cut and was not allowed to remain on the card. There is a rumor going around behind the scenes at MMA that Khabib fell ill after consuming a spoiled Tiramisú (a typical Italian dessert). The Russian denies that he has the reason for his discomfort, but the case is constantly used by Ferguson to provoke his rival.
Damn cables
In 2018, the first attempt to select athletes for a fight for the division's linear belt came to light. Khabib and Ferguson had already built their reputation as great competitors within the organization and a meeting between them became inevitable. At the time, Ferguson held the interim title and it was up to Ultimate to promote the fight between them to find out who would take the position of 'king'.
At the time, everything was going well, however, as a great irony of fate, Tony ended up tripping over a studio cable and tearing the ligaments in his left knee, being prevented from performing at UFC 223. Ultimate, however, decided to keep Nurmagomedov in contention and, after a failed attempt to climb Max Holloway as a substitute, he gave To the fifth the opportunity to face the Russian for the linear title. Khabib won the fight and has since dominated the division as number one.
2020 arrives
K. Nurmagomedov (left) and T Ferguson (right) in the first look at the UFC 249. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc
Since becoming division champion, the 'Eagle' has impressed with confident and outstanding performances. The Russian has already defended his position on two occasions, one of them when he hit Conor McGregor in the most watched fight in the history of the sport, in October 2018. Nurmagomedov also defeated Dustin poirier and, after another show, everything was heading towards a new attempt to cast the champion against Ferguson.
While the Russian built a successful reign, Tony continued to make victims, even less frequently within the organization. After going through psychological and family problems, the athlete ended up away from the octagon for a period of almost nine months. However, 'El Cucuy' made a triumphant return by hitting in a resounding way Donald Cerrone, in June last year.
Realizing that there was no way out, the UFC surrendered and decided to confirm a new meeting between the lightweights. This time, everything followed the script of a historic fight. The champion against the first in the ranking. Two athletes with more than 10 consecutive victories. The chosen city: New York USA, UFC 249, on April 18.
COVID-19
This time, it really seemed like nothing would disrupt the plans of Ultimate, the athletes, the media and the fans. However, the scenario began to change when the world became aware of a pandemic that would haunt every corner and interrupt sporting events around the globe.
With the coronavirus (COVID-19) causing thousands of deaths around the world and governments in several countries adopting preventive measures and imposing social isolation, the card began to swing. The UFC tried to fight against it, but ended up accepting and canceling three of its events that would take place at the end of March and beginning of April. The company, however, maintained its stance of trying to sustain one of its most important cards of the year.
Ultimate ended up surprised by the information that the New York government would prohibit public events from being held. Therefore, it was up to the board to think of alternatives so as not to postpone the show. There was a suggestion that the fight could be held in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Upon learning of the idea, Khabib and members of his team went to Russia to finish training, however, last week, the champion was surprised to learn that the country closed its borders and he was unable to travel. The event was once again compromised.
Confirmation
Last Wednesday (1), Nurmagomedov used his social networks to confirm your absence on the card. The athlete used common sense to say that he should not go against the world, which is facing one of the worst health crises in its history. Despite being criticized by some fans, the champion maintained his stance and said he could not participate in the dispute outside his country.
What happens now?
The UFC has not yet made Khabib's withdrawal from the card official, however, everything indicates that the Russian will not participate in the event on the 18th. It seems that Nurmagomedov could fight again only in the second half of the year, as on the 23rd In April, Ramadan begins – an important period in the Muslim calendar. Adherent to religion, the 'Eagle' then practices ritual fasting that lasts until May 23rd. The champion would then need some time for his body to return to normal and resume the training period. If three months of preparation were needed, for example, the 'Eagle' would be ready to fight at the end of August.
According to 'ESPN', Ultimate even offered 'Bicho Papão' a fight against the fourth in the ranking, Justin gaethje. However, there is still no further information about whether or not Tony will remain on the card.
All that remains for MMA fans is to wait and see if one day they will have the pleasure of following the athletes inside the Octagon. Even though they are frustrated, it is a fact that the wait for the confrontation ends up raising expectations for one of the biggest fights of all time.
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