Khabib Nurmagomedov baffled by backlash over UFC 249 fallout: I am not coronavirus – MMA Junkie

Considering that verifying his withdrawal Wednesday, Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) has actually taken the brunt of criticism from fans, as well as Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC), for a 5th cancellation of the match in between rivals. UFC 249 was supposed to take place April 18 in Brooklyn, N.Y., but the coronavirus pandemic has actually triggered a mad scramble to discover a new place for the card while keeping the same date.

“Right now, if they offer me location, if I can come out from Russia … I’m going to battle,” he said. “One hundred percent. Simply give me place.”

“My name is Khabib. I am not coronavirus,” Nurmagomedov stated. “My name is not coronavirus. Dana is Dana. Tony Ferguson is Tony Ferguson. My name is Khabib, but No. 1 thing what make me crazy is people state I pull out, or I do something. I don’t comprehend this. I’m still training given that December, I train extremely hard considering that December. I (came) to U.S. due to the fact that UFC (offered) me place, New York. I concern U.S. I’m training 40 days. Then when everything (went) crazy they state, U.S. 100 percent no fight. We move to Dubai. Why? They told me 99 percent it’s going to remain in Dubai.

“My last training school I come to U.S, I train with coach (Javier Mendez) for 55 days, then we move to Abu Dhabi due to the fact that fight was in Abu Dhabi. I understand. OK, if it’s not Abu Dhabi, no issue. We did this prior to we can do it one more time. We come, and they close gate, however this not my issue. I make no error. One more time I want to state I am Khabib; I am not coronavirus.”

The circumstance looks significantly grim, leading Nurmagomedov

to end while he’s on lockdown in Russia, where travel in and out of the country has actually been prohibited. The days are rapidly unwinding to April 18, and with the global circumstance worsening each day, Nurmagomedov stated he received no great responses from the UFC as to what’s been going on.

Nurmagomedov’s decision to withdraw from UFC 249 didn’t begin an impulse, he stated. He initially came to San Jose in late February to finish his training camp at American Kickboxing Academy when he thought he would be fighting in New York. But when the COVID-19 hazard started to spread, he started discussing alternatives with the UFC.

“Nobody knows area, but everyone wants me to fly someplace,” Nurmagomedov said Thursday on

Instagram Live.”I don’t understand this. UFC attempted to find a location (nearly one month ago ); they do not find. What about me? This is my error? UFC do not send us place. Where (are )we going to fight?

According to Nurmagomedov, he was informed there was a “0 percent” possibility he would be battling in the U.S., and that there was a “99 percent” possibility it would occur in the Middle East. He traveled to that part of the world, just to run into numerous more roadblocks.

Khabib Nurmagomedov does not understand why he’s ended up being the fall guy for the disaster that has become UFC 249 and his ill-fated light-weight title battle with Tony Ferguson.

At this point there is no certainty regarding what takes place next. The UFC has already

delayed its next three events, and it appears as though UFC 249 and a variety of cards to follow are hanging by a thread, as well.

Given all these circumstances, Nurmagomedov thinks he’s being unfairly targeted. He wished to combat Ferguson just as badly as everybody wished to lastly see it however repeated there is no venue or host city validated, and therefore he may’ve “pulled out” of an event that won’t even exist.

I don’t have location; that’s why I’m not going to fight. “Where we going to combat? No one discuss this. Everybody now sit house, and they try to find someone(to blame ). They have to put pressure on somebody since people are bored. Soccer closed, hockey closd, NFL, NBA, soccer, Olympic games, European championships– whatever is closed. Now Tony vs. Khabib, this is possibly closed, too. Now they need to push somebody.”

UPDATE: Nurmagomedov, in a later interview with ESPN, stated he would still be prepared to combat if the UFC might send him a conclusive location.

“I hear the UFC work on (making) show in San Francisco in August,” Nurmagomedov stated. “This one is excellent. Possibly in August whatever is completed, but nobody understands. I hear they going to make program in middle of September in Abu Dhabi. Perhaps, I don’t know. If not they can’t make program, after Ramadan is going to be August. Even right now in U.S., no one knows when this is going to go down.”

“All (airport gates) closed. Russian gate is closed, U.S. gate is closed– all over is closed. All people sit at home– federal government, famous people even Dana (White). Where is Dana? Everybody stay house. Everyone in quarantine. All federal government, all presidents, all well-known people. Everybody state, ‘Please stay at home’ because people die every day. Thousands of individuals die. No. 1 nation today, it’s U.S.”

“We left San Jose. We landed in Dubai. We landed 8 p.m. in the evening,” Nurmagomedov stated. “They say (at) 12 a.m. they close (the) gate. We tried to go in, however this is impossible. They state this is difficult. Then I say, ‘OK, whatever occurs we’re going to go to Dagestan and keep training.’ After Dubai, we pertain to Dagestan and keep training. Right now I finish my training. Every day I’m training, and I’m awaiting location, but they don’t send me.

Nurmagomedov desires to fight Ferguson at the next readily available opportunity. The champ will observe Ramadan beginning later this month however said he might be complimentary to compete in August or September, assuming the coronavirus pandemic is under control.

Nurmagomedov’s choice to withdraw from UFC 249 didn’t come on an impulse, he stated. I am not coronavirus,” Nurmagomedov stated. When everything (went) crazy they state, U.S. 100 percent no battle.”I hear the UFC work on (making) reveal in San Francisco in August,” Nurmagomedov stated.”Right now, if they offer me place, if I can come out from Russia … I’m going to battle,” he stated.

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