For the time zone: Gatji will meet Ferguson instead of Nurmagomedov in the main fight of UFC 249

“The battle will take place somewhere on Earth”

A statement by Dana White, President of the Absolute Fighting Championship, that Justin Gatji will replace Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main fight of the UFC 249 tournament, put an end to the question of the participation of the Russian in the tournament. Fans of the current champion in lightweight promotion, until recently, had hopes that somehow he would be able to meet with one of the most dangerous opponents in the division on April 18, but this did not happen.

The fight is signed and is 100% ON LIVE on ESPN somewhere on EARTH !!!! 😃 @ TonyFergusonXT vs @Justin_Gaethje is LIVE on @ espn + PPV April 18th for the interim lightweight belt! pic.twitter.com/aH44zg5K30

As a result, Gatgi and Tony Ferguson will fight for the title of interim champion. This is the second time in the past year that a promotion has done the same in lightweight. A similar title in mid-April 2019 in connection with the temporary suspension of Nurmagomedov from fights by the Nevada Athletic Commission challenged Dustin Porie and Max Holloway. Then Dustin won, in September losing to Habib in the main fight of UFC 242.

As for the new match, the promotion has already published its official poster, and Gatgy on his social networks did not hide his emotions from the opportunity to meet with one of the most dangerous fighters in the promotion.

STRAP IN 🏆 # UFC249pic.twitter.com / jXPNYAjX3h

At the same time, it is still not clear where exactly the tournament will take place in a week and a half. In his message, White again managed to use the streamlined phrase “somewhere on the Earth,” which he had already used at the end of March when he was trying to maintain the Ferguson-Nurmagomedov fight.

So far, MMA fans can only guess in which city and in what arena the Americans will find out the relationship. The most interesting version was put forward on Monday by ESPN. According to the channel, the fighters can meet on the territory of an Indian reservation in the western United States. This choice is allegedly due to the fact that the rules of the athletic commission of the relevant state do not apply.

In this situation, Nurmagomedov can only observe the intriguing fight in his weight category and notice the weaknesses of his opponents, one of which, obviously, he will have to meet in the fall. Moreover, Habib to the last expressed his willingness to meet with Ferguson and noted that he continues training.

“16 days before the battle, but I don’t know the venue. This is unprofessional. Even Tony said a couple of days ago: “If I don’t know where I will fight, I won’t sign a contract.” He said so, these are not my words, but no one paid attention to it, ”the Russian said in an interview with ESPN on April 3.

“I have to understand where the match will take place. I need to fly there, acclimatize, lose weight, focus, finish the training camp and so on ... If they call me a place right now and if I can fly there from Russia (USA, Abu Dhabi, it doesn’t matter), I will fight. 100%. Just name the place. Every day I write to Dana White: “Hey, where will I fight” ... Too many questions, but I don’t have answers to them, ”Nurmagomedov explained.

At the same time, on the eve of the fake account of the famous American journalist and insider Ariel Helwani, information appeared according to which White allegedly agreed with the Russian president on Nurmagomedov’s flight to the United States to participate in the battle with Ferguson. Some gullible subscribers believed these words, and the UFC leader had to hastily deny the information. Then on Twitter, the functionary confirmed that Khabib would not take part in UFC 249.

“Well, what a Habib coward? He is the champion of UFC »

Meanwhile, an official statement about the organization of the fight between Gatgey and Ferguson caused an mixed reaction in the world of mixed martial arts. Sparring partner Conor McGregor and MMA fighter Dillon Denis, with whom Habib had a conflict after a fight with the Irish, did not miss the opportunity to again succumb to the Russian.

“Remember my words. Conor will make this rat pay. I can’t wait for a revenge, ”Denise wrote on Twitter.

pic.twitter.com/2937w0y5Jt

In the United States, many experts doubted the need to assign special status to the main match of UFC 249, as well as reacted with a certain amount of skepticism to the announcement that the tournament would be held on schedule. According to The Score columnist Nick Baldwin, it is not surprising that the promotion took this step, but the draw of the time zone looks stupid, since Habib spent the last defense of the belt in September 2019.

Also, the fight being for the interim belt is dumb. Not surprising, but dumb. Khabib defended the title seven months ago.

Agreed with him, and another well-known journalist specializing in MMA-related topics, Tom Taylor, according to whom the Ferguson-Gatgi bout looks incredible on paper, but in reality its holding seems somewhat short-sighted, since it threatens the organization of the battle between Habib and Tony.

Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje is an in incredible matchup on paper, but it feels a bit short-sighted. Are we really willing to risk Khabib vs. Tony

As for the interim title ... it seems a unnecessary. Those things carry as much clout as Kinder Surprise toys.

However, most fans simply feel the joy of finally having the opportunity to see a big match. In particular, UFC fighter Megan Anderson joyfully noted the fact that "the MMA drought is over."