UFC 249: Date, location, UK start time, live stream, TV channel, prelims and coronavirus update after Khabib WITHDRAWS
UFC 249 was all set to be a potential classic – but the UFC appear to have lost their main headline bout after Khabib refused to travel from Russia.
The biggest event of the evening was due to be unbeaten lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov putting his crown on the line against former interim title holder Tony Ferguson.
The pair have previously been scheduled to fight on FOUR separate occasions, but every one of those bouts has been cancelled before the fighters could settle things in the Octagon – and the curse has now struck again.
When is UFC 249?
KHABIB vs Ferguson was originally set for a headline slot in Brooklyn, New York.
But UFC boss Dana White revealed that the location could change over coronavirus fears.
The current rule in the US has banned gatherings of more than 10 people inside, meaning the card is set to be held behind closed doors.
White has insisted the event will go ahead with “10 people in the room” and blasted “wimpiest” critics who have called for the fight to be axed amid the pandemic.
Fight night is on Sunday, April 19 with a UK start time of midnight.
Why has the headline bout been cancelled?
DESPITE White’s best efforts, Khabib and Ferguson’s bout looks destined to be postponed for the FIFTH time.
Lightweight champ Khabib has confirmed he will not leave Russia to fight, hitting out at claims he should travel to the USA.
The Federal Air Transport Agency had hinted Khabib’s lockdown in Russia could be ended.
Which caused the 31-year-old to post a picture of himself alongside a caption that read: “Staying home in quarantine and reading the reaction of people to the situation around my fight, it turns out that the whole world should be in quarantine.
“Governments of all countries, famous people around the world urge people to follow all safety requirements in order to limit the spread of the disease, to save people.
“And Khabib is the only one relieved of all obligations and must demonstrate free will and train flying around the world, for the sake of fight?
“I understand everything and I’m definitely upset more than you to cancel the fight, probably like all others, I had many plans after the fight, but I can’t control it all.
“The greatest countries and the largest companies of our time are shocked by what is happening, every day the situation changes unpredictably.
“But Khabib still has to fight, is that what you saying?
“Take care of yourself and put yourself in my shoes.”
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Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
PROVIDED it goes ahead, fight fans on this side of the pond will be able to watch this bout on BT Sport.
Pay-per-view information is yet to be released from BT Sport Box Office.
Check back to SunSport for regular UFC updates and the very latest MMA news.
Who else is set to fight?
WITH the whole show now in jeapordy, here’s how the updated fight card looks:
- TBA vs Tony Ferguson (UFC lightweight Championship)
- Jessica Andrade vs Rose Namajunas (women’s straw-weight)
- Jeremy Stephens vs Calvin Kattar (featherweight)
- Karl Roberson vs Makhmud Muradov (middleweight)
- Shamil Abdurakhimov vs TBA (heavyweight)
- Uriah Hall vs Ronaldo Sauza (middleweight)
- Lyman Good vs Belal Muhammad (welterweight)
- Ben Rothwell vs Gian Villante (heavyweight)
- Khama Worthy vs Ottman Azaitar (lightweight)
- Sijara Eubanks vs Sarah Moras (women’s bantamweight)