Khabib Nurmagomedov is out of UFC 209’s co-main event after falling ill just before weigh-ins on Thursday evening, UFC announced.
He was treated and discharged, but doctors advised Nurmagomedov not to fight in his condition, according to a release.
Nurmagomedov (24-0) was set to face Tony Ferguson (21-3) for the interim lightweight title and the right to face Conor McGregor later on this year. Now, there will be no interim champion as UFC has canceled the fight.
Nurmagomedov was set to fight Ferguson on Saturday, the third time the two had been scheduled to fight. Unfortunately, each time they have been paired, the fight has been called off. Nurmagomedov was forced to pull out of the first meeting with an injury while Ferguson was forced to pull out of the second bout with a lung injury.
Nurmagomedov was on a roll after returning for a two-year layoff, earning back-to-back stoppages against Darrell Horcher in April and Michael Johnson in November.
UFC is still looking to add a fifth fight to its main card.
