Breaking News: Ferguson out Holloway in at UFC 223

Let me preface this by saying this is NOT an April Fool’s joke!

Tony Ferguson has suffered a knee injury and will miss this weekend’s UFC lightweight title fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Ferguson will be replaced by 145lb champion Max Hollaway according to UFC President Dana White. White also said that Nurmagomedov and Holloway will be fighting for the official 155lb title.

Our readers will remember that just a few days ago I wrote a preview of UFC 223 right here at TheGruelingTruth.net. In that preview, I detailed the long history of trouble behind getting Ferguson and Nurmagomedov in an octagon together, three previous cancellations in the last two and a half years and unfortunately now a fourth.

Ferguson is said to have suffered the injury on Thursday and an MRI revealed his knee was “torn” according to ESPN. The Oxnard native was the UFC interim lightweight titleholder coming into this fight but unfortunately has lost that distinction with this injury.

Holloway has a chance to join Conor McGregor as the only fighters in UFC history to simultaneously hold titles in two weight classes. He can also become the youngest man to ever capture titles in two divisions at 26-years-old. He is coming off a win over Jose Aldo back in December and has won 12 in a row since losing a decision to McGregor in August of 2013.

Nurmagomedov is undefeated in his career at 25-0. The Russian native will likely be a rather big betting favorite over the smaller Holloway.

UFC 223 Is scheduled for this Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The event is available on Pay-Per-View through your local cable or satellite provider.

Chris covers MMA for The Grueling Truth. He is also the Lead Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of 3KingsBoxing.com