UFC 249: Dana White confirms Khabib Nurmagomedov will not fight Tony Ferguson

Dana White has confirmed that Khabib Nurmagomedov will definitely not be fighting at this month’s UFC 249, saying a full card will be announced on Monday.

The UFC president was responding on Sunday to a parody Twitter account, which claimed he had an agreement in place with Russian president Vladimir Putin to fly Nurmagomedov to the United States so he could face Tony Ferguson on April 18. The undefeated lightweight champion is currently in his native Dagestan.

Nurmagomedov and Ferguson had been set to headline UFC 249, which was originally slated for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. However, the event was moved because of the coronavirus outbreak. No new location has been confirmed.

Last week, Nurmagomedov suggested he was out of the fight since he was stranded in Russia because of travel restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the pandemic. He later backtracked to say he would indeed face Ferguson - should a viable venue be announced.

Yet, replying on Sunday to claims Nurmagomedov would be soon on his way to the US, White said: "Absolutely not true!!! The card is happening but @TeamKhabib is out. I will announce the entire card tomorrow."

A report in ESPN early Monday said the UFC was closing in on a location for UFC 249 and hoped to finalise it in the coming days, with somewhere on the west coast of the US most likely.

It is understood Ferguson will meet Justin Gaethje in the headline bout, although the former, the division’s No 1-ranked challenger, is yet to sign off on the fight.

ESPN also reported that the UFC plans to hold multiple events at the same location during the three weeks following UFC 249. Last month, the promotion had to cancel a trio of shows leading up to April 18 because of the coronavirus.

Abu Dhabi had been discussed as a possible destination for Nurmagomedov-Ferguson, with Nurmagomedov saying last week he had originally been told by White that the rescheduled clash would "99 per cent" take place in the UAE capital.

Despite heavy criticism for attempting to put on UFC 249 during a pandemic, White has remained adamant it would still go ahead.

Last month, he 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."

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Khabib makes triumphant return at UFC 242

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Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.

1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.

2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.

3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.

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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.

- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law

Red flags

Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

'Cheb%20Khaled'

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EArtist%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKhaled%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELabel%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBelieve%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

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Brief scoreline:

Manchester United 2

Rashford 28', Martial 72'

Watford 1

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The biog

Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.

Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.

Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.

Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

Favourite food: Dim sum

Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.

UFC 249: Dana White confirms Khabib Nurmagomedov will not fight Tony Ferguson

UFC president insists event will go ahead, likely on the west coast of the United States with Justin Gaethje set to replace the lightweight champion

____________________

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Brief scoreline:

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