Rumours are circulating that the UFC are this week announcing Tony Ferguson to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Not such surprising news however reports are now saying this will be for the undisputed lightweight championship and not the interim belt meaning current champ Conor McGregor is to be stripped.
Ferguson and Nurmagomedov have been due to fight twice before with both being cancelled, the most recent when Nurmagomedov was hospitalised due to a bad weight cut late in the day.
Journalist Chris Taylor wrote the following on Twitter:
“Breaking! I have confirmed with sources that Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight for the undisputed UFC lightweight title at #UFC223 in Brooklyn. The bout will be made official later this week. McGregor will be stripped of his title. The bout was 1st reported by TASS”
Breaking! I have confirmed with sources that Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight for the undisputed UFC lightweight title at #UFC223 in Brooklyn. The bout will be made official later this week. McGregor will be stripped of his title. The bout was 1st reported by TASS
— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) January 16, 2018
It will be interesting to hear McGregor’s thoughts on being stripped of a second championship, should this come to pass.
It is expected the UFC will have their first show in Russia later in the year.
Could Nurmagomedov headline this as champ, defending against the returning McGregor? Or will Ferguson spoil the plan?