Holloway deemed medically unfit to fight at UFC 223
The UFC's greatest fears about Saturday's card have been realized.
Lightweight title contender Max Holloway has been declared medically unfit to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the title at UFC 223, the promotion announced during weigh-ins on Friday morning.
Holloway, the current featherweight champion, stepped in on short notice to fight for the lightweight title after interim champ Tony Ferguson dropped out with a leg injury. Such a move would require a 30-pound weight cut by Holloway, however.
The ultimate decision was made by doctors and not from Holloway's camp.
. @TeamKhabib my brother I want to keep going but they are stopping me. Sorry to your team and the fans. You don’t deserve this. This is number one. Shout outs to you and @Showtimepettis . Give the fans what they deserve
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) April 6, 2018
For Nurmagomedov, who has had four scheduled bouts with Ferguson cancelled, Plan C is to fight Anthony Pettis on Saturday, UFC president Dana White told Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times.