Khabib Nurmagomedov off UFC 209, Interim Title Fight Has Been Cancelled

The MMA gods must take their cue from the Old Testament because they are vengeful.

As the early weigh-ins got underway a report from Russian media came out that Khabib Nurmagomedov had been taken to the hospital hours earlier (h/t Karim Zidan of BloodyElbow.com). The weigh-ins continued on without confirmation and Tony Ferguson, his opponent for an interim lightweight title clash, made weight while smiling.

Confirmation came in that the earlier reports were true. Nurmagomedov had gone to the hospital and he had been removed from UFC 209 due to "weight management issues" per the UFC during the weigh-in broadcast.

What about Ferguson and the interim championship? 

It has been cancelled. No replacement will fill-in. It is an unfortunate turn of events that robs fans of a potential Fight of the Year matchup. No word on which fight will move to the co-main event slot or what preliminary contest fills the void on the main card.

The word drama may be overused, but that was certainly the word to be used surrounding all the happenings at the UFC 209 weigh-ins.

Tony Ferguson sent his well wishes to Khabib through Twitter shortly after the fight's cancellation.

Now let us all go cry as we lose the best fight UFC 209 had to offer.