Ferguson sends Nurmagomedov thoughtful message after cancellation of their UFC 209 bout
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 05: Tony Ferguson of the United States celebrates his victory over Rafael Dos Anjos of Brazil in their lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on November 5, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Tony Ferguson is taking the high road after an illness to Khabib Nurmagomedov forced the UFC to pull the bout from UFC 209.
Ferguson made championship weight on Friday morning, tipping the scale at 154.5 a little over 24 hours before his scheduled interim title fight on Saturday night. But as time ticked away for fighters to weigh-in, his opponent Nurmagomedov was nowhere to be found, with reports swirling that he had transported to a local hospital.
The UFC eventually confirmed the news that "The Eagle" was still in the hospital due to an illness and that the co-main event bout against Ferguson was scrapped. The lost opportunity could cause some fighters to hold some animosity toward their opponent, but Ferguson, instead, sent an endearing tweet to Nurmagomedov.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}This is the third time Ferguson and Nurmagomedov have been matched up and the third time the fight has fallen through. They were originally matched up in December of 2015 but Nurmagomedov pulled out with a rib injury. The match was rescheduled for the main event of UFC Tampa in April 2016 but a lung issue forced Ferguson from the fight.
The UFC has yet to reveal exactly what forced Nurmagomedov to the hospital this time, but signs point to it being due to complications from his weight cut.