Don’t say John Kavanagh didn’t warn you.
When UFC 223’s headliner was booked, John Kavanagh wasn’t the only one who refused to get overexcited.
Tony Ferguson vs Khabib Nurmagomedov needed to be booked in 2018. Ferguson set a divisional record of 10 consecutive wins to earn the interim strap while Nurmagomedov has beaten all 25 men he has fought. They seemed destined to be matched up, but the MMA Gods seem adamant about keeping them apart.
Prior to UFC 223, the fight had fallen through three times. When they were due to fight at the Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale, Nurmagomedov pulled out with a rib injury. Instead, we got to see Edson Barboza fight ‘El Cucuy’. Ferguson pulled out of the second attempt at UFC on Fox 19 with lung issues, so ‘the Eagle’ took on promotional newcomer Darrell Horcher. When Nuragomedov failed to make the scales for UFC 209, the fight was scrapped entirely.
Now, they’re 2-2 in pull-outs. This time, a pesky knee injury prevented Ferguson from taking the biggest fight of his career. He will be replaced by featherweight champion Max Holloway who steps in on six days’ notice.
Crazy #UFC223 https://t.co/MjaeXlCmFZ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 2, 2018
Mystic John
This isn’t our first rodeo. MMA fans have come to expect that this fight simply isn’t meant to happen for the sole reason that we can’t have nice things. However, those of you who foolishly got their hopes up that this time may be different should have listened to SBG head coach John Kavanagh’s interview with The Mac Life in February.
“I’m looking forward to watching that fight – if it happens. This is the fourth time it has been scheduled, I have a horrible feeling it’s not going to happen. I really hope it does.”
You should have hoped harder, John. This is number one bullshit.
