Another Khabib Nurmagomedov fight falls apart as Tony Ferguson pulls out with injury
Ultimate Fighting Championship top lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov will once again be unable to compete in a scheduled fight.
This time, it’s his opponent that has withdrawn because of injury.
Tony Ferguson has pulled out of a scheduled main event bout on the UFC on Fox 19 card on April 16 in Tampa, Florida. UFC officials could not confirm at Fox report that no replacement opponent will be named for Nurmagomedov.
He is off the card for now after not fighing April 2014 when he won a unanimous decision over current lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.
Ferguson has won seven consecutive fights and was coming off a second-round knockout of Edson Barboza in December.
“Usually I can Power thru small Bumps & Bruises,” he posted on Twitter. “Doc Said I have Fluid/Blood in my Lung. I Will Heal Up. I Will be Back.”
A light heavyweight bout between Glover Teixeira and former champ Rashad Evans will now serve as the main event. UFC offiicials confirmed a FoxSports.com report on Tuesday.
The fight will now be scheduled for five rounds.
Nurmagomedov, undefeated in 22 fights as a professional, has been forced out of three fights due to injury since his last bout. He is expected to be booked on a future card against a new opponent depending on the length of Ferguson’s absence.
The card also features a middleweight bout between Lyoto Machida and Dan Henderson and a matchup of women’s strawweight contenders Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj