Ferguson releases statement on fight withdrawal
Tony Ferguson: “As I was completing my UFC pre-fight media obligations on Friday I had an accident on a studio set that tore a ligament in my knee.”
Earlier today UFC president Dana White announced that UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson had sustained a knee injury, and was out of his fight vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov for the undisputed title at UFC 224. White said further that featherweight champ Max Holloway will be moving up a division to face Nurmagomedov. Present division champ Conor McGregor was to have lost his belt, for non-defense.
Now Ferguson has released a statement on his social network.
Words can’t explain how hurt, frustrated, angry and in disbelief I am right now, tweeted Ferguson. As I was completing my UFC pre-fight media obligations on Friday I had an accident on a studio set that tore a ligament in my knee. My doctor and the UFC doctor both said I can’t fight and one is saying I need surgery, so I will see a specialist to make the final determination on how I can heal up and get back in there to defend my belt ASAP.
I want to apologize to all the fans, the UFC, Khabib, my teammates, my coaches, my friends, and most importantly my family. Happy Easter to everyone out there, I believe there is a silver lining in this nightmare of a reality, because this isn’t an April Fools. Good health and blessings to you all.
https://twitter.com/TonyFergusonXT/status/980606889116426240
And it gets worse for Ferguson. White told the media that the fight on May 12, 2018, at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, would be for the undisputed belt. That means Ferguson is going to lose the belt that he won beating Kevin Lee, without a fight. So apparently two belts will be lost as one is won. That’s confusing, and it would behoove the UFC to make clear exactly what’s happening.
In the meantime, Holloway offered a prediction of sorts.
