McGregor congratulates Ferguson for winning 'game of chicken'
Conor McGregor predicted that Khabib Nurmagomedov-Tony Ferguson wouldn't happen on April 18, and while his reasoning may have been off, it appears the former UFC two-division champion was right.
Nurmagomedov announced his official withdrawal from UFC 249 on Wednesday. The lightweight champion is stuck in Russia due to the coronavirus pandemic and related travel restrictions. He said he plans to self-quarantine.
McGregor, who fought Nurmagomedov in 2018, chalked up the most recent cancellation to the Russian titleholder losing a "game of chicken."
The fact of this matter is, both Tony and Khabib where engaged in a game of chicken here towards the fight bell. With Khabib chickening out first. Making it 3-2 in pullouts in Tony’s favour. Khab scurried out of the U.S to home, and amid the crisis. Very high risk.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 2, 2020
Congrats Tony.
McGregor has been vocal during the COVID-19 outbreak, calling for a shutdown in his home country of Ireland. "The Notorious" added that he could be ready for a fight but was glad he didn't have one lined up when the pandemic started.
I am in shape to fight right now!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 2, 2020
At the beginning of all this, I said to myself - I’m happy I don’t have an official fight booked. If I did, I would have consumed all the incorrect data to support me taking part in the bout, and I would have followed through, competed. And won.
McGregor, the most popular fighter in the sport, returned to the Octagon in January and defeated Donald Cerrone via 40-second TKO at UFC 246.