Dana White willing to book Khabib vs Ferguson for 6th time, but scared it could fall apart

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson is hailed as most “cursed” match-ups in combat sports history, but UFC president Dana White is harbouring hope that a fight between two lightweights could happen in future. Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson were scheduled to battle it out earlier this year, but COVID-19 pandemic laid waste to those plans. This was fifth time a meeting between two was scrapped, leading to a fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje.

Highlight ended up defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, earning a chance to face Khabib Nurmagomedov for title - seemingly ending any chances that Eagle and El Cucuy would ever meet in UFC octagon.

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Dana White opens up about fate of Khabib vs Ferguson

Undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is scheduled to face interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in a title unification bout, but according to Dana White, Tony Ferguson is t completely out of picture. While talking to Sports Illustrated, Dana White said that if Khabib Nurmagomedov defeats Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson bests his next opponent, n he will try to book Khabib vs Ferguson for sixth time. However, Dana White claimed he’s scared that plans for fight could fall apart.

"I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fight fall apart as many times as those two. It almost scares me to make fight again. What’s going to happen? An asteroid comes to earth? That’s level of bad this thing is," Dana White added.

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Khabib vs Ferguson: A timeline of bad luck

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson were first scheduled to meet in finale of Ultimate Fighter 22 in 2015, but fight was scrapped after Eagle suffered a rib injury while training. Tony Ferguson ended up fighting Edson Barboza, who he defeated via submission in second round. next time (April 2016) Tony Ferguson failed to receive medical clearance and was forced out of fight as doctors discovered some blood in his lungs.

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In 2017, fans were just 48 hours away from seeing fight, but during weight cuts, Khabib Nurmagomedov turned ill and was hospitalised, forcing Dana White to call off fight on doctor’s recommendation. fourth cancellation came in April 2018 after Tony Ferguson tripped over a cord and tore a ligament in his knee while promoting event. Tony Ferguson was replaced by n-reigning fearweight champion Max Holloway, who also dropped out as he couldn’t make weight. Khabib Nurmagomedov ended up fighting Al Iaquinta who he defeated via unanimous decision.

Dana White n booked Khabib vs Ferguson for April 2020, but pandemic tore up those plans. Despite that, MMA fans are still cautiously optimistic about a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson as both stars are hailed as best lightweights of this era.

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Im Source: AP