After a crazy fight week in New York, the dust is finally starting to settle, in regards to the UFC 223 fight card.
Originally, Russia’s Khabib Nurmagomedov was slated to face Tony Ferguson for the undisputed UFC lightweight world title.
Ferguson fell off the card with an injury six days prior to the event, making way for UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway to step up and fight Khabib.
On the morning of weigh-ins, Holloway was deemed medically unfit to continue, resulting in his removal from the fight card.
The UFC would then peg Anthony Pettis as Khabib’s third scheduled opponent, but after Pettis missed weight, he asked for more money, to which the UFC declined.
With a lack of available options, the UFC worked on both Paul Felder and Al Iaquinta.
Iaquinta didn’t make championship weight at today’s weigh ins, but Paul Felder did.
The UFC came to terms with Felder to step in for the last minute title fight, but due to Paul’s official UFC ranking, the New York Commission denied his license to face Khabib.
This only left Al Iaquinta. Who has accepted to face Khabib in Saturday’s main event, on just 24 hours notice.
Since “Raging” Al did not make championship weight, this is reportedly for half a title shot. Meaning, if Khabib wins he’s champ, by Al is ineligible.
The UFC has yet to announce this bout as official, but MMAImports.com has it on good authority that it’s going down.
Stay tuned!
