Khabib Says He's out of UFC 249, Will Self-Quarantine at Home During COVID-19

Khabib Nurmagomedov ruled himself out of his lightweight championship bout against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18. 

Nurmagomedov announced Wednesday on Instagram he intends to self-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic and thus will not fight Ferguson.

"I understand everything and I'm definitely upset more than you to cancel the fight," he wrote. "Probably like all others, I had many plans after the fight, but I can't control it all. The greatest countries and the largest companies of our time are shocked by what is happening, every day the situation changes unpredictably. But Khabib still has to fight, is that what you saying? Take care of yourself and put yourself in my shoes."

Doubts about Khabib's availability grew when he said Monday on Instagram Live he was home in Dagestan and unable to leave because of travel restrictions.

ESPN's Ariel Helwani reported UFC was considering alternative opponents for Ferguson, with Justin Gaethje suggested as a possibility.

Nurmagomedov had also said UFC officials informed him the April 18 pay-per-view "100 percent isn't happening in the States" and would likely be staged in the United Arab Emirates. According to Helwani, the company expects UFC 249 to be in the U.S. but that only American fighters will be able to take part.

While not unexpected, Khabib's announcement will lead fans to question whether UFC 249 is worth holding at all, despite UFC's president Dana White's insistence the show must go on.

The event has lost its highly anticipated main event, and now Ferguson is left with less than three weeks to prepare for a new opponent.

Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson continues to be one of the most snakebitten fights in MMA history. This is the fifth time they've had to scrap plans for a scheduled encounter.