UFC 249: Conor McGregor and the leading contenders to face Tony Ferguson

Khabib Nurmagomedov's withdrawal due to coronavirus-enforced travel restrictions leaves the No 1-lightweight contender without an opponent

Conor McGregor would be the most high-profile match-up for Tony Ferguson but at present remains a long shot. AP Photo

Fight fans desperate to see Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson finally square off in the octagon look set to wait a little longer, after the Russia appeared to put an end to their headline bout at UFC 249 on April 18.

Should that event go ahead and Ferguson still wants to be a part of it – a location is yet to be announced – then who could the lightweight division’s No 1-ranked challenger take on?

We look at three potential contenders…

Justin Gaethje

Would seem the obvious choice, especially since it’s understood the UFC have already approached Ferguson about the bout. Gaethje, a top lightweight contender with a 21-2-0 record, was being touted for a summer joust with Conor McGregor, and so might view taking Ferguson at such short notice as a major risk. It depends what shape he’s in, but Ferguson has had a full camp in preparation for Nurmagomedov.

However, if it went ahead, the fight is certain to be a thriller: Gaethje and Ferguson are two of the most entertaining fighters in the sport. And, for what it’s worth, Dustin Poirier reckons Gaethje would present Ferguson with more problems than Nurmagomedov, tipping Gaethje to prevail.

Dustin Poirier

Speaking of Poirier, the American has been typically active on social media and on Wednesday again threw his hat into the ring to face Ferguson. Poirier has not fought since his defeat to Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi last September, when he seemed poised to cause a huge upset before tapping out in the third round.

Poirier, whose record now stands at 25-6-0, was visibly upset immediately after the fight, but vowed to come stronger. A hip injury delayed his return to the octagon, and the former interim champ looked likely to meet Dan Hooker next month. To his immense credit, Poirier never shirks a challenge. Ferguson, unbeaten in 12 fights stretching back to 2012, would certainly provide that.

Conor McGregor

The controversial Irishman is never far from the fray, with constant speculation about whom he will fight next. McGregor returned from a 15-month hiatus in January to see off Donald Cerrone in all of 40 seconds, and has since called out Nurmagomedov for a rematch. The two met on that infamous fight night in Las Vegas in October 2018, with the Russian the victor.

McGregor (22-4-0) and Ferguson have crossed paths – they once shared the same management – and the fight would undeniably rocket to a must-see event of the year. This week, the former two-weight champion’s coach John Kavanagh teased the match-up, and Ferguson implied on Wednesday that he wants only Nurmagomedov or “McNuggets”. Remains a long shot.