Report: Khabib Nurmagomedov Taken To Hospital Before UFC 209
If it felt like it was too good to be true it was finally happening, that may unfortunately be the case – again.
Rumors surfaced this morning from Bloody Elbow’s Karim Zidan (via BJPenn.com) that Russian media reported No. 1-ranked lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov had been taken to the hospital prior to the early weigh-ins for his highly anticipated interim lightweight title fight versus Tony Ferguson:
Russian media reporting Khabib was taken to hospital three hours before the weigh-ins. Izvestia reported news after speaking to his father
— Karim Zidan 🪶 (@ZidanSports) March 3, 2017
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto attempted to clear up the report, but received no confirmation from Khabib’s camp:
Reached out to Nurmagomedov's manager just now. He declined to comment on this report. https://t.co/nR8lcdZqWa
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 3, 2017
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani then acknowledged the report during the official early weigh-ins, also noting the reports could not be confirmed as of yet.
Helwani later said a source close to Nurmagomedov’s team said there was at least some truth to “The Eagle” having difficulty making the 155-pound championship limit. A few minutes later, he confirmed Khabib did visit the hospital around 4:30 a.m. PST. Helwani also heard Khabib’s issue was not related to his weight cut, and that the Dagestan contender was still at the hospital.
UFC Tonight and UFC FOX Sports broadcaster Karyn Bryant said she had heard Nurmagomedov received IV fluids during his hospital visit, although she later confirmed that was not official:
Hearing that Khabib received IV fluids at the hospital + has not been ruled out of fight. If it does go on, only Tony can win title #UFC209
— Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) March 3, 2017
To clarify: the Khabib receiving IV was NOT an OFFICIAL statement. But it is what I heard… #UFC209
— Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) March 3, 2017
The anticipated bout has been booked twice before only to fall apart due to an injury of some sort to one of the two, and if these reports indeed prove true, it would seem the latest withdrawal would signify the pivotal fight is just not supposed to happen. This time it was for a title, even if it was an interim one, however.
Stay tuned for updates about the messy situation in the hours to follow.
