It’s finally officially official! A lightweight scrap between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson, which has been in the works for weeks, is finally official.
Both Nurmagomedov and Ferguson have signed bout agreements for UFC 209. MMAFighting.com confirmed the news following an initial report from the Los Angeles Times.
Nurmagomedov (24-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) went 5-0 in the UFC before really bursting onto the scene when he defeated now former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos. Numerous injuries forced Nurmagomedov to be out for around two years, but when he did return, the Russian didn’t disappoint. “The Eagle” stopped late replacement Darrell Horcher in the second round of their bout at UFC Tampa. In his most recent outing, Nurmagomedov submitted Michael Johnson in the third round of their bout at UFC 205.
Ferguson (22-3 MMA, 12-1 UFC) won The Ultimate Fighter Season 13 at welterweight with a knockout of Ramsey Nijem. The American won two more, stopping Aaron Riley before taking a decision over Yves Edwards when he faced Michael Johnson, and suffered his first UFC defeat, dropping a decision. Since the loss, “El Cucuy” has put together nine straight wins with six stoppages. Some of the names he has beaten include Abel Trujillo, Edson Barboza, and Rafael dos Anjos.
UFC 209 takes place live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 4th, 2017. The card is expected to be headlined by a welterweight title fight between Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson.
UPDATE: UFC President Dana White confirmed on Twitter that the bout would be for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson for the interim LW title on March 4 at UFC 209!!! pic.twitter.com/oJwvlDl4eX
— Dana White (@danawhite) January 13, 2017
