Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson will go ahead behind closed doors, insists UFC president Dana White

Lightweight champion has returned to Russia ahead of the bout due to take place on 18 April

UFC president Dana White insists Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s highly anticipated bout against Tony Ferguson, scheduled to take place on 18 April, will go head ahead despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Initially set to take place in New York, White is adamant the fight will be held behind closed doors, despite Nurmagomedov leaving his training camp to return to Russia amid the outbreak.

“I do (know where it is),” White said on Instagram. “But I’m not ready to tell you yet. I know lots of things. … There’s not going to be any fans there. It’s going to be a closed event.”

Lightweight champion Nurmagomedov, who has only fought once since defeating Conor McGregor in August 2018, had been training in San Jose, California.

However, his manager Rizvan Magomedov confirmed Nurmagomedov would remain in Russia for the foreseeable future, while the fighter himself questioned the uncertainty around the bout.

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“’We can’t understand what is happening at all,” he wrote. “Where are we fighting and are we fighting at all?’

“What about the weight and the venue of the battle? UFC 249 what are you?”