Tony Ferguson injured, Max Holloway vs Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223
Tony Ferguson vs Khabib Nurmagomedov has been called off for a fourth time as Ferguson has been forced to withdraw due to a knee injury. The UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway has agreed to step up on six days notice to face Khabib Nurmagomedov for the undisputed UFC Lightweight title at UFC 223.
UFC President Dana White confirmed the news via twitter.
BOOM!!!!!! We got Khabib vs The Champ Max Holloway for the 155lb title this Saturday in Brooklyn New York!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/quvI3UqGXh
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 1, 2018
According to Brett Okamoto, Tony Ferguson injured his knee late last week with the ligament tearing off to bone in a freak accident.
I’m told the injury to Tony Ferguson was literally caused by a trip. The freak accident of all freak accidents. He was walking, saw someone he wasn’t expecting to see, veered sharply to say hello and tripped.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 1, 2018
“Tony heal up man. Just want to advise you, don’t talk too much anymore,” Khabib said via his instagram. “Lot of thoughts in my head right now, but I don’t want to become like you. Hope, this lesson will teach you watch your mouth.”
Brett Okomoto spoke to UFC President Dana White in which White said that Tony Ferguson will lose his interim title with the winner of UFC 223 becoming the undisputed champion. Max Holloway already holds the UFC Featherweight title and has successfully defended his title against former UFC Champion Jose Aldo in a rematch at UFC 218. This will give Holloway the opportunity to become a two division champion holding two belts simultaneously, the first to do so was Conor McGregor.
Tony Ferguson made the following statement via his instagram.