Khabib Nurmagomedov Should Remain UFC Lightweight Champion

. There is absolutely no reason that the UFC should even give a second of thought to stripping Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The reigning UFC lightweight champion was scheduled to meet Tony Ferguson later this month at UFC 249 in a title defense. However, considering all of the extreme and incredible circumstances surrounding the event, how could they justify ripping the title off him at this point?

Sure, could Nurmagomedov have remained in California and trained by himself – or with a teammate or two – in preparing for the bout with Ferguson? Of course he could have, but he is not a native of his country and likely felt better heading home to be with his loved ones while in a crisis situation.

If we are taking Nurmagomedov at his word, his decision to depart for Dagestan was in large part to the assumption that the UFC event would take place overseas. How are we to know any different?

Khabib Nurmagomedov Should Remain UFC Lightweight Champion

The promotion gave us no official news regarding where they were looking to move the card to get it sanctioned and going. Originally set for Brooklyn, then Las Vegas, then who really knows where after that.

As hard as it is to swallow, the promotion should have probably just called it off. Especially considering the magnitude of the bout.

Billed as the grudge match of the century and a bout years in the making, Nurmagomedov and Ferguson have been scheduled and canceled more than any other in the past. Injuries, weigh-in issues, holidays; you name it, and it likely came up.

Can we really be all that surprised that a world-wide pandemic happened just as we were inching closer and closer to these two lightweight giants meeting?

Not really.

If the UFC wants to put an interim title up and have Ferguson face Justin Gaethje, sure, go ahead. But there is no reason they should be stripping Nurmagomedov of his title.