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It appears as if No. 1 ranked lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov may be out of his UFC 209 fight against Tony Ferguson this weekend.
UFC 209 is set to kickoff at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, March 4. Nurmagomedov, who is undefeated, and Ferguson were set to star as the co-headliners before Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson duked it out for the welterweight championship. However, Nurmagomedov was reportedly taken to the hospital just three hours before today’s weigh-in.
According to Karim Zidan of Bloody Elbow, who is reporting to Russian media outlets, Nurmagomedov was taken to the hospital to receive IV fluids. It’s likely that the hospital visit was related to the weight cut for the fight.
Nurmagomedov’s manager refused to comment.
UPDATE: 1:58 P.M. EST: Nurmagomedov’s fight against Ferguson is officially canceled.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson is officially off the UFC 209 card. Khabib was hospitalized this morning. Didn't make it to weigh-in.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) March 3, 2017
UFC statement on Khabib Nurmagomedov. pic.twitter.com/l8HYyFSD5R
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) March 3, 2017
In report, Khabib's father mentioned that his son "may be ok" because he was taken to hospital hours ago.Explains silence from Khabib's team
— Karim Zidan (@ZidanSports) March 3, 2017
Several media members have reported that Nurmagomedov was indeed taken to the hospital early Friday morning.
Nurmagomedov and Woodley were expected to battle for the interim lightweight title as reigning champion Conor McGregor continues to hop between the 155 and 170 divisions.
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