“One Arena and 100 Healthy People”- Khabib Nurmagomedov Explains Why UFC 249 Must Go On

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov believes that the highly-anticipated clash between him and Tony Ferguson should go on with access to healthy people.

The UFC after a defiant holdout has finally postponed its next three events amid the fear of coronavirus outbreak.

The UFC 249 is still on, as revealed by Dana White, the UFC president.

Reportedly, the event may not take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn as it was originally scheduled.

The threat of a shutdown is increasingly looming across all the major sports in the world. UFC, on its part, is keeping the events intact after issuing regulatory measures.

Recently, at the 2nd Annual Dominance MMA Media Day, Khabib Nurmagomedov acknowledged disruption caused by the pandemic saying:

If he and Ferguson and their families are healthy then the fight should continue but limited to 100 people inside the arena.

“The most important thing is to be healthy. If we’re healthy, our family is healthy – this is the most important thing right now,” Khabib said.

He further shares his opinion on the relevance of fight cards currently and how it could be done safely if done with proper precautionary measures.

“Ok, on this card we have 13 fights. That’s 26 fighters and their corner.”

“If they’re healthy and the UFC people who make show, like judges, athletic commission and everything – we need maximum 100 people inside the arena,” Khabib added.

Khabib seemed positive while talking about his fight with Tony Ferguson and said that he is willing to fight anywhere, so long as he’s able to fight.

“Close the arena, 100 healthy people come inside and make the show. Put the camera, turn on pay-per-view, and all of us can make money. Everyone can fight.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov on the role of media

At the Dominance MMA press conference, Khabib revealed that in search of identifying a good fighter among the herd, the media plays an important role.

“The media has to show the fans, the people about his life, where he was born, how he grew up, where he trained.”

“When you know the history of some fighter, you’re gonna follow him,” he added.

Dominance MMA is one of the largest MMA management company founded by Ali Abdelaziz.

The idea is of holding a joint press conference where many young talents sit among the established ones and jointly experience and promote their fight.