UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson was forced to pull out of a main event bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223, but he is being replaced by UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway.
The interim champion and Nurmagomedov were set to battle for the undisputed lightweight title at the event, as UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor was rumored to be stripped of the gold before the battle begins.
McGregor isn’t going to be the only fighter to lose a title at UFC 223, because UFC President Dana White says Ferguson is also going to be stripped of his belt.
“That goes away (the UFC Interim Lightweight Title),” White said to ESPN. “This fight is for the title. The winner of this fight will be the champion.”
There is no word at this time if Ferguson is going to get a shot at the UFC Lightweight Title once he recovers from the knee injury, a time frame for the recovery has yet to be established.
UFC 223 takes place on Saturday, April 7 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York with Max Holloway and Khabib Nurmagomedov headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
