Tony Ferguson out of UFC 223 mega fight after accident in studio set tears ligament in knee

TONY FERGUSON is out of UFC 223 after a trip and fall while performing media duties saw him tear knee ligaments.

UFC president Dana White has confirmed he will not be able to make the lightweight title fight against the talented Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov this Saturday in Brooklyn.

Featherweight champion Max Holloway will face Khabib instead with less than a week’s notice.

The fight will be for Conor McGregor’s lightweight belt with the Irishman being stripped of his title as soon as the fight starts.

White said Ferguson’s injury is a serious one where the interim champion will need surgery.

White told ESPN: “He actually tore it off the bone, he’s gonna need surgery on his knee.

“Tony is out. He’s hurt his knee.

“Tony Ferguson is injured, but the beautiful thing about this sport — the stud, 145-pound champion Max Holloway is going to step up and face Khabib this Saturday in Brooklyn, New York, and it is for the official 155-pound title.”

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Ferguson has revealed that he needs surgery after consulting doctors and will

He said: “Words can’t express how hurt, frustrated, angry and in disbelief I am right now.

“As I was completing my UFC pre-fight media obligations on Friday I had an accident on a studio set that tore my ligament in my knee.

“My doctor and the UFC doctor both said I can’t fight and one is saying I need surgery, so I will see a specialist to make the final determination on how I can heal up and get back in there to defend my belt ASAP.

“I want to apologise to all the fans, the UFC, Khabib, my teammates, my coaches, my friends and most importantly my family.”