Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson targeted for April UFC on Fox event

The UFC is targeting a matchup between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson for an April 16 UFC on Fox event.

Sources confirmed the news to MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani after Michael Johnson, who was expected to face Ferguson March 5 at UFC 197, withdrew from their affair for undisclosed reasons.

Nurmagomedov (22-0) has not competed since UFC on Fox 11 in April 2014. At that event, he defeated current UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision. Overall, "The Eagle" is 6-0 in UFC action.

Ferguson (20-3), meanwhile, has been one of the most active – and successful – fighters in the UFC's 155-pound class of late.

The former The Ultimate Fighter Season 13 winner has won seven straight, most recently defeating Edson Barboza Dec. 11 at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale.

Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson will appear on the main card at the April UFC on Fox event, but it is currently unclear whether it will serve as the main event and where the event will take place. The current front-runner is the state of Florida.