Tony Ferguson is out of this Saturday’s main event against Khabib Nurmogomedov and Max Holloway has replaced the former interim champ on 6 days’ notice to vie for the UFC 223 lightweight title. Ferguson suffered an injury to his knee in what appears to be a non-training accident.
The news comes on April 1st, which made the announcement a little confusing for fight fans since many thought it was a ruse. But, in fact, it was the truth that Khabib and Tony is being scrapped for a fourth time.
The replacement is better than most since it’s the Featherweight Champion Max Holloway. Of course, Holloway is coming off of his own injury and needed to be removed from last month’s UFC 222 against Frankie Edgar.
Dana White made a video announcement off the change.
BOOM!!!!!! We got Khabib vs The Champ Max Holloway for the 155lb title this Saturday in Brooklyn New York!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/quvI3UqGXh
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 1, 2018
Payout Perspective:
The change makes it known that the MMA gods did not want to see Tony and Khabib fight. It appears that Tony’s interim title is gone and that the fight between Khabib and Max will be for the lightweight title unless Conor McGregor returns. Holloway taking this fight coming off an injury and on just 6 days’ notice is something fans love but might not be the best strategy for his career. Khabib is one of the best in MMA and Holloway might not be prepared for this fight unless he was already in fighting shape. From a business perspective, the fight probably does not lose a lot of traction as having a champion step in to vie for another title makes it appealing. If Holloway were to win, a fight with Conor McGregor might seem that much more appealing.
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