It’s official. Where UFC 249 will take place this year is no longer set in stone. The New York State Athletic Commission revealed in a press release on Wednesday:
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Out of an abundance of caution and in line with recent guidance issued by the Centre for Disease Control and New York State UFC 249 cannot be held in New York.
This decision was predictable and even anticipated by Dana White who is currently looking for a solution to ensure the fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Furguson won’t be cancelled a fifth time. If the fight does go ahead as planned, it will obviously take place in a more private setting, which doesn’t seem to bother either of the two fighters.
Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov recently spoke out about the UFC 249 being relocated, claiming that Dana White should be announcing the new location within the next few days:
We’ll see. Next couple days Dana is going to send us location. […] I think we just need 100 people to make this fight. Put the camera on and show who’s the best lightweight of all time. This is a very important fight, and this is why I like the UFC’s politics. They always try to make the best versus the best.
The Russian’s dad, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, also released a statement a few days ago, claiming that the fight could take place in Dubai:
Most likely it will be Dubai. Firstly, it’s easier to fight diseases because of the heat. And I think the Emirates will pay for the UFC fight faster and easier. Abu Dhabi may well be, but then, [that’s up to] Dana White.
