The fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson for the UFC lightweight champion title is still canceled. This was announced by the Russian athlete in his Instagram. He said that he could not fight at a time when the world was in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and that he had to take precautions.

“I am sitting at home in quarantine and reading the reaction of people to the situation around my fight. It turns out that the whole world should be quarantined, governments of all countries and famous people around the world are urging people to comply with safety requirements in order to limit the spread of the disease for the sake of saving people, and Habib is free from all obligations and must demonstrate free will and train, flying around the world risking his life for the sake of battle? I understand everything and I’m definitely not less upset than you to cancel the battle. Probably, like all others, I had many plans after the battle, but I am not able to control all this, ”said Nurmagomedov.

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Posted by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) Apr 1, 2020 @ 12:02 pm PDT

The champion noted that the situation in the world is changing too rapidly and everyone is shocked by this. The athlete noted that he should not go into the octagon at such a moment, and asked the fans to put themselves in his place.

Nurmagomedov and Ferguson were supposed to fight on April 18 as part of the UFC 249 tournament in New York. In connection with the coronavirus pandemic, it was announced that the title fight would not take place in the largest city in the USA, after which the search for a new venue for the fight, which the UFC wanted to organize under any conditions, even in the absence of spectators and bypassing the ban on holding mass events introduced USA.

The option of holding a battle in Abu Dhabi was seriously considered, and Nurmagomedov even received instructions from the UFC to fly from the United States, where he was training, to the UAE and wait there for a final decision. However, the athlete was not allowed to cross the border, and he went to Russia. A few days later, air communication with all countries was stopped, and Nurmagomedov lost the opportunity to meet with Ferguson in one place. Now the Russian is in his native Dagestan, where until the last he continued to prepare for the title fight.

It is worth noting that the Federal Air Transport Agency allowed Nurmagomedov to fly to the United States, but warned him that it would be difficult for him to return back.

“There are no restrictions for business aviation on departure from Russia now. With permission, the aircraft can fly to the United States. But there are restrictions on arrival, which were approved on Monday at a meeting of the Operational Headquarters of the Government of the Russian Federation to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus infection. Thus, he may have certain problems with returning, ”the Sport Express quotes the agency.

Ferguson’s reaction to the cancellation of the battle was not long in coming. He accused Nurmagomedov of cowardice. The American fighter noted that the Russian had a chance to meet him in Abu Dhabi, but he did not want to use this opportunity.

“I think Nurmagomedov understood in advance that he would not fight. We scared him. He could return from Abu Dhabi, he had the opportunity to board a plane and fly back. We lowered it a second time. I am a killer. Habib and Conor run with their tails folded, like dogs. I told Nurmagomedov that I would wipe the floor with his hat and the duo merged, ”Ferguson said on Twitter.

The meeting of the two leading fighters of the world has been canceled for the fifth time. For the first time they were supposed to fight back in December 2015, but then Nurmagomedov starred because of a broken rib. The next time the injury prevented Ferguson. In March 2017, the Russian wrestler experienced difficulties during weight loss and again was forced to refuse to enter the ring. Finally, exactly two years before Nurmagomedov’s statement, also on April 1, Ferguson was injured again and could not enter the title match with the Russian, after which he played the champion’s belt with Al Yakvinta.

UFC head Dana White admitted that he had long known about Nurmagomedov’s refusal. Now the promotion took a break to decide what to do in connection with the situation.

“Everyone knew that Habib would not fight. I won’t share any details about the new fight with the media, ”White told Yahoo Sports.

Three Russian wrestlers, who were supposed to perform at UFC 249 at the same time as Nurmagomedov, also refused to fight because of problems with the departure from Russia. It was expected that Islam Makhachev will meet with Alexander Hernandez, Umar Nurmagomedov will hold the first match in the UFC with Azur Hunter, and Magomed Ankalaev will meet again with Ion Kutselaba.