Khabib Nurmagomedov returns to Russia to finish training camp for UFC 249

Khabib Nurmagomedov is going home to finish his training camp in preparation to face Tony Ferguson at UFC 249.

With the coronavirus pandemic shutting down many businesses including gyms in the United States, the undefeated UFC lightweight champion has decided to go back to Russia for the final few weeks before facing Ferguson on April 18. The news was first reported by Tass.ru in Russia and confirmed by Dana White to ESPN.

As the deadly COVID-19 continues to sweep across the globe, state governors across the U.S. have started to issue orders asking people to stay indoors and isolated outside of essential travel such as going to the grocery store or seeing a doctor.

In California where Nurmagomedov typically trains at the American Kickboxing Academy, all gyms have been closed down, which obviously makes it that much harder for him to train for one of the biggest fights of his career.

Now Nurmagomedov has opted to continue his training camp closer to home as opposed to trying to find ways to get ready for the fight back in the United States.

Ferguson also trains in California but the former interim lightweight champion has continued pushing forward with his regular regimen regardless of the current lockdown issued by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Right now, UFC 249 is still searching for a home after the New York State Athletic Commission shut down the possibility that the event could still take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn as originally scheduled.

UFC president Dana White has stated that the show must go on, and he’s currently found a location, but has yet to reveal it.