UFC 249 still on, with Ferguson fighting Gaethje on April 18

UFC says Tony Ferguson will fight Justin Gaethje for interim lightweight title in main event of UFC 249 on April 18.

mixed martial arts promotion anunced main event matchup Monday. Gaethje replaces lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is apparently unable to leave Russia during coronavirus pandemic.

Although UFC President Dana White still hasn't even anunced a venue for UFC 249, he remains determined to hold a pay-per-view show this month. Most U.S. states have restrictions in place that would make it impossible to st a show, even without an audience.

UFC 249 initially was slated for Brooklyn, but a venue change became necessary several weeks ago. ESPN, UFC's broadcast partner, has said White is attempting to secure an unnamed venue on West Coast for show.

UFC held a full fight card in an empty arena in Brazil last month, but canceled its ensuing three scheduled shows. White has remained steadfast in his plan to st company's biggest show of spring while virtually all high-level sports competition has stopped.

Ferguson (25-3) is a longtime lightweight contender who has been booked to fight Nurmagomedov five times. Every single bout has fallen through due to injury or or circumstances.

Gaethje (20-2) is among UFC's most exciting fighters, with a heedless brawling mentality that suggests a thrilling matchup with equally reckless Ferguson.

“I’m terrified and I ... love it,” Gaethje tweeted after anuncement.

Most UFC fighters have expressed an erness to fight during pandemic. Mixed martial artists typically don't get paid unless y fight, although Bellator and or promotions have paid fighters whose bouts were canceled by pandemic in recent weeks.

Nurmagomedov anunced last week that