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According to Tony Ferguson, his decision to pull out of this month’s UFC on FOX 19 headliner might’ve just saved his life.
On Tuesday Ferguson (20-3 MMA, 10-1 UFC) confirmed he was forced to withdrawal from his April 16 bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov (22-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) due to “fluid” and “blood” in his lungs.
Nurmagomedov now awaits a new opponent for the event, which airs on FOX from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., though he could also be moved to another card.
In a subsequent social-media post, Ferguson, who’s No. 3 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings, said his doctor told him “any more trauma could be terminal,” which forced him out of the highly anticipated and likely title-eliminator with No. 2 Nurmagomedov (via Instagram):
I am out of my Fight Due to Blood/Fluid in my Lung. Usually I can Power Through These things. Doc said it wasn't wise to Fight due to any more trauma could be terminal. There are more Important things to me Like Making sure I am there for my Little Man Armand Anthony & @xtfergie @darceandknucklez Family First. I will be Back, I will be Better. You haven't seen anything yet. #TeamFerguson #TeamElCucuy #TonyFergusonMMA #SnapDownCity #OGElCucuy Give me a couple weeks. Khabib pulled out Three Times. I have pulled out Once in my Whole Career... I will be Back. It's Shitty these things happen... Staying Positive for my Family. TF
Ferguson suggested he needs just a few weeks to heal up, and though “El Cucuy” took a shot at his would-be opponent for his past fight cancellations, Nurmagomedov simply offered words of support (via Twitter):
View: https://twitter.com/TeamKhabib/status/717501576210812928
LINK to full article: According to Tony Ferguson, UFC on FOX 19 withdrawal might've saved his life
