Conor McGregor’s coach: COVID-19 restrictions won’t hamper Khabib, Ferguson – if fight happens

Despite endless assurances from UFC president Dana White that the UFC 249 main event will happen as promised, John Kavanagh doesn’t see Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson taking place next month.

Kavanagh, the head coach of former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor at SBG Ireland, has an interest in Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) vs. Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) coming to fruition, as McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) could very well face the winner.

After four failed bookings between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic looms over UFC 249, which is scheduled for April 18 in an unknown location. White has said a venue is nearly confirmed.

Until Nurmagomedov and Ferguson actually step in the octagon, there will be lingering doubt about the fight happening. Kavanagh said he doesn’t think it will get over the finish line, but if it does, he presumes both athletes will be able to make due with the unique circumstances (via Twitter):

If the April 18th fight happens. Honestly I cant see how it does but let’s be optimistic and say it does then what effect will 4-5 weeks of no real grappling/sparring have. Only focus will be conditioning. Personally I think it’ll have almost zero effect on skill. 1/n

The fighters have 2many years of consistent training for a couple of weeks to have any real effect on technique or timing. I think the only real effect is theyll come in completely injury free. No bruising, no tweaked knees, nothing. That been said I just cant see it happening

The coronavirus outbreak already has caused the UFC to postpone three scheduled events. Kavanagh said he thinks it will stop a fourth, UFC 249, but White remains insistent that the MMA world will get to witness one of the most highly anticipated fights of all time.