UFC president Dana White has reiterated that next month’s much-anticipated clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson will go ahead, saying “everywhere is an option” for the fight to place.
UFC 249, which the bout headlines, has had to be moved from its original location at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 18 because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Last week, the UFC cancelled its next three shows leading up to UFC 249, although White has been steadfast in insisting Nurmagomedov-Ferguson - sure to be one of the year's most watched events - will still happen.
The UFC is currently assessing possible venues for the lightweight title fight, with unbeaten champion Nurmagomedov's father and coach last week suggesting Abu Dhabi was an option .
However, White told The National : "We do not have a location set for UFC 249. I'm focused all day every day to find a venue. Everywhere is an option for this massive fight including international locations or potentially Las Vegas. It's my only priority to find a location. This fight will happen."
Nurmagomedov, who boasts a 28-0 record, last fought in September, when he successfully defended his lightweight crown by defeating Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi . The Dagestan native, now 31, won his second defence of the lightweight crown by a third-round submission at The Arena on Yas Island. He moved to a 12-fight win streak in UFC.
Ferguson, meanwhile, is also enjoying a 12-fight unbeaten run stretching back to 2012. His most recent victory came last June against Donald Corrine.
Now the No 1-ranked challenger, Ferguson holds a 25-3-0 record. The pair have been set to meet four times previously, but the fights never materialised.
Last April, Abu Dhabi announced a five-year partnership with the UFC , including a commitment to bring a major event to the capital each year. Attended by close to 14,000 fans, UFC 242 was the first in that agreement. The promotion will return to the emirate later this year.
_______________________________ Best pictures from UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi Khabib Nurmagomedov after his win over Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The crowd cheer at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge (winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts) and Zak Cummings during the early matches of UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts) and Zak Cummings during the early matches of UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts, Winner) and Zak Cummings in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts) and Takashi Satō in the early matches at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sarah Moras made history by winning the first ever female UFC fight in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: The Arena. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: UAE jiu-jitsu fighter Faisal Al Ketbi. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: General sec of Abu Dhabi Sports council Aref Al Awani. Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: The Arena. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight fans take pics. Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight Fans. Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight fans. Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Updated: March 22, 2020, 7:01 AM