Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Francis Ngannou were supposed to headline UFC Fight Night Columbus, but the UFC was forced to postpone the card due to the coronavirus.
The heavyweight, who hasn’t fought since late 2019, is willing to fight on next month’s UFC 249 card if the UFC wants him to.
“We’re doing what we have to do, keeping training, waiting for an update,” Rozenstruik told The Schmo (via Jed Meshew of MMA Fighting). “Now we’ve slowed the pace a little bit down and as soon as we have an update, we’ll squeeze it back up and we’re on. So we’re ready for whatever. I’d be happy to dance 18th of April. I can’t wait for this [fight] to happen because we’ve been working hard for it and the fun has to come out right now. It’s about time.”
Ngannou, who Rozenstruik was supposed to battle in Columbus, has also expressed interest in competing at UFC 249.
Rozenstruik also wants to see his family and fighting life get back to normal after the coronavirus pandemic.
“A couple days ago [the UFC] called and they said the situation - maybe a month or later [is when we will fight],” Rozenstruik said. “So we’re waiting for an actual date so we know when we’re gonna dance. . . The situation is crazy. I really want to dance and then go back to the family and get back to normal and hope the situation settles up really fast.”
UFC 249 takes place on Saturday, April 18 from a location to be announced with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
