ANOTHER UFC CARD has been thrown into disarray after Tony Ferguson pulled out of his upcoming main event against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The lightweight contenders were due to headline the UFC on Fox 19 card a week on Saturday but Ferguson has been sidelined after doctors found a problem in his lung.
“Usually I can power thru small bumps & bruises,” he tweeted on Tuesday night. “Doc said I have fluid/blood in my lung.
“I will heal up. I will be back.”
The UFC has not yet confirmed if Nurmagomedov will still feature on the Tampa card on 16 April. According to MMAFighting.com, officials are searching for a replacement opponent.
The fight was set to be Nurmagomedov’s first since his win against Rafael dos Anjos two years ago, and he immediately set about finding someone to step in at short notice, calling out Anthony Pettis and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, as well as dos Anjos, now the lightweight champion.
“Anyone and any weight,” he tweeted. “16 April I’m waiting for you guys.”
As news of Ferguson’s injury broke, dos Anjos offered to put his lightweight strap on the line against Nurmagomedov on the bumper UFC 200 card this summer.
“We have some unfinished business,” he tweeted. “I’ll be ready in July.”
The meeting of Nurmagomedov and Ferguson was being billed by many as a number one contender bout in the 155lbs division, although there has also been speculation linking Eddie Alvarez with the next shot at dos Anjos when he returns from the foot injury that ruled him out of last month’s scheduled defence against Conor McGregor.
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From 1-23 they were all magnificent yesterday and as expected our bench made a massive difference but I would like to give a special mention to Rory O’ Loughlin coming on after 19 minutes for one of if not the greatest Leinster players, in a position that wouldn’t be his strongest and he played beautifully. Yes he had guidance from Sexton inside him and Gary outside but I thought he played an absolute blinder. Hope he can push on next season and get himself in the mix for the World Cup.
@Ian Verdon: he did have a great game, my general frustration with o’loughlin is that he doesn’t pass, he goes for the glory. Not a chance of him getting to japan if ringrose, bundee, henshaw and farrell stay injury free.
@Danger: Most young players are guilty of going for glory(Larmour at times) but that can be easily altered through coaching and mentoring from senior players. Yes I agree he would be doing well to get in the mix with the players you mentioned ahead of him and the likes of Scannell and Arnold too but if he keeps performing well when called upon you never know he also covers 12,13, and 14 which is a bonus.
Sexton only started 3 times for Leinster all year. Ross Byrne made most starts of all players, scored a load of points and didn’t even make the bench today! There’s your star this year for Leinster this year.
@Declan Gibney: byrne has come on a huge amount this year, he was very good versus Munster.
@Declan Gibney: the star of the season was fardy.
Leo Cullen is the Zinedine Zidane of Rugby
Most complete 10 in irish rugby! I still carter is probably the best ever.
The way Johnny can direct a game and influence it in so many other ways is miles ahead of any other 10 we have right now. He’s a tough cookie but if he had to go out for any period of time through injury we don’t have the same depth as other positions to fill the gap.
Extra levels of maturity this season to go with the great play have made him a better player than ever.
Just hope he can keep this up until Japan.
Carbery needs to start a test in Oz with Murray inside him.
Johnny needs lots of cotton wool!
And people still compare him to R’OG
@Bob Joe: as a 10 there is a debate but as a rugby player Sexton is miles better. It’s like Barrett and Sexton, I think Sexton is the better 10 but Barrett Is a better player
@Bob Joe:
Knob
Just aswell he’s good st rugby. I just saw a video of him singing last night….!
K