Dana White, a UFC brass said, Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov might be next in line for the undisputed UFC lightweight title.
Dana White said on FOX Sports 1’s UFC Fight Night 124 from St Louis post-fight show Sunday evening that the UFC is hoping to schedule the long-awaited matchup between Ferguson and Nurmagomedov for an event later this year. White also said UFC lightweight star Conor McGregor would be stripped of his title if Irishman does not fight until the latter’s preferred date of September.
“Conor has said he’s thinking about coming back in September,” White said. “If he comes back in September, that’s almost two years — that can’t happen. It’s not fair to everybody else. Love Conor, respect Conor, love everything that he’s done for this company — everybody knows that; I say it all the time. The belt would have to move on.
“You do Khabib vs. Tony; we’re working on that fight now, and if and when Conor comes back, he would get the first crack at the title.”
MMAJunkie’s reporter also confirms the news.
Dana White tells FS1 that UFC is working on Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov after Conor McGregor telling him he may not fight until September. Would McGregor be stripped? "Absolutely," he says.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) January 15, 2018
Conor Mcgregor has not fought since scoring a UFC lightweight title at UFC 205 against Eddie Alvarez back in November of 2016, since then he hasn’t stepped inside the Octagon. Last August, he debuted in the multi-million boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, falling by 10th-round TKO.
Tony Ferguson who is recovering from elbow surgery and won the interim championship with a submission against Kevin Lee at UFC 216 last October, while Khabib Nurmagomedov last beaten Brazilian striker Edson Barboza via dominant decision at UFC 219 last month.
Previously saying that Conor McGregor would have until March to make a decision, Dana White then confirmed that the UFC was ready to strip by far their biggest star as a matter of principle.
White didn’t confirm the date when the promotion will book Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov.
Do you think UFC made a right decision about Mcgregor, Ferguson, and Nurmagomedov?
