Khabib Nurmagomedov pullout weakens UFC 209 card

UFC 209 was dealt a major blow Friday about 24 hours before the event at T-Mobile Arena.

One of the most anticipated — and snakebitten — fights in UFC lightweight division history again was canceled.

Top contender Khabib Nurmagomedov was hospitalized late Thursday and will not be able to fight Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title.

UFC officials scrambled to try to make a replacement fight but to no avail.

Speaking to fans at T-Mobile Arena after weigh-ins Friday evening, Ferguson said he was devastated by the news.

“I thought it was a nightmare,” he said. ” It’s some (expletive) stuff he had to go through. This happens in the fight game. I want every one of you to give love to the UFC and to Khabib.

“And I really want you guys to still buy this pay per view because the rest of this card is (expletive) awesome.”

His enthusiasm might not be shared by fans who have waited more than a year to see a fight between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson, the leading lightweight contenders behind champion Conor McGregor.

The matchup has been jinxed since it was booked in late 2015.

Nurmagomedov pulled out of the originally scheduled bout with an injury, then Ferguson got hurt and couldn’t fight when it was rebooked in April 2016.

Ferguson’s place on the Saturday card almost was salvaged. Michael Johnson, the only fighter to beat Ferguson in the UFC, in 2012, is in town with teammate Rashad Evans and volunteered to step in for Nurmagomedov.

Nevada Athletic Commission officials began working with Johnson and the UFC to clear the lightweight through medicals and the sanctioning process, but Ferguson declined the late opponent switch.

A person with knowledge of the process said Johnson probably would have been approved had Ferguson accepted.

“I was ready and willing!! To make that title weight for last minute,” Johnson posted on Twitter. “Unfortunately (Ferguson) declined it. Catch ya around next time!”

Ferguson didn’t deny the claim but elaborated on his reasons.

“Respect For Your Willingness To Step In,” Ferguson tweeted at Johnson. “UFC told Me It Wasn’t For The Title And It Was For Less Pay. Willing To Fight You For Right Price.”

A UFC official declined comment on the negotiations.

Ferguson might have foreshadowed the trouble during media day Thursday when he alluded to a difficult night ahead for Nurmagomedov in his attempt to make the 155-pound limit.

“Have fun with that weight cut, sucking air,” Ferguson told Nurmagomedov as they broke apart from their face-off for cameras.

Word of difficulty for Nurmagomedov began to spread during Friday morning’s weigh-ins in a back room of T-Mobile Arena.

A Russian media report surfaced on Twitter citing Nurmagomedov’s dad saying his son had been hospitalized.

By the end of the two-hour period fighters are given to make weight, UFC officials had confirmed the report.

Nurmagomedov encountered difficulty cutting weight and was transported to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. He was discharged early Friday, but was not cleared to fight by doctors.

Ferguson, who weighed in at 154.5 pounds, reached out to Nurmagomedov on social media to extend his sympathy.

“I Hope U Feel Better Khabib,” Ferguson wrote on Twitter. “I Pray For Your Recovery, I Mean It, Get Better.”

A welterweight title rematch between Stephen Thompson and champion Tyron Woodley will headline the event.

Amanda Cooper and newcomer Cynthia Calvillo will meet in a women’s strawweight bout that has been bumped up to the main card, which airs on pay per view at 7 p.m. Four fights from the preliminary card will air on Fox Sports 1 at 5.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-277-8028. Follow @adamhilllvrj on Twitter.