Khabib Nurmagomedov Gives First Statement After Hospitalization, Tony Ferguson Cancelation

After medical issues related to his weight cut canceled his Ultimate Fighting Championship interim lightweight title bout with Tony Ferguson scheduled for UFC 209, Khabib Nurmagomedov has spoken for the first time.

On Monday, the 24-0, undefeated Dagestan native took to Instagram to give an update on his health and apologize to fans and his would-be opponent.

“Alhamdulillah for everything God gifted me for my 28 years, I got much more than I asked,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “I know that many people was waiting for this fight and I fail them. Want to bring my apologies for all my fans, UFC and my opponent Tony. My health is fine now, thanks God. These tough testing only makes me stronger. Thank everyone for the support.”

Чтобы ты не делал или кем бы ты не был, ты получишь то, что Всевышний предписал тебе. Альхамдулиллах за все что мне Всевышний дал за эти 28 лет, я даже получил то, что и не просил Его. Я знаю много людей ждали этот бой и я всех подвёл. На счёт сорванного боя хочу извинится перед моими болельщиками, UFC и перед моим соперником. С моим здоровьем все хорошо Альхамдулиллах, бывало и хуже, но каждый раз эти испытания меня делали только сильнее. Спасибо Всем за поддержку. Whoever you are or whatever you do, you'll get only what God prescribed for you. AlhamduliLlah for everything God gifted me for my 28 years, I got much more than I asked. I know that many people was waiting for this fight and I fail them. Want to bring my apologies for all my fans, UFC and my opponent Tony. My health is fine now, thanks God. These tough testing only makes me stronger. Thank everyone for the support. #Alhamdulillah

A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Mar 5, 2017 at 4:29pm PST

The cancelation of the Nurmagomedov-Ferguson bout was the third time the slated bout has fallen apart. The two lightweights were originally scheduled to meet at the finale of “The Ultimate Fighter 22” in December 2015 but a Nurmagomedov suffered a rib injury that knocked him out of the bout. The contest was remade for UFC on Fox 19 in April of last year, but Ferguson pulled out due to a lung condition.

UFC President Dana White stated that Nurmagomedov came within six pounds of completing his weight cut before his team took him to a Las Vegas area hospital. White was critical of the Nurmagomedov team's choice, stating that the contest may have been saved if they'd contacted the promotion.

“Apparently, he was treated horribly at Sunrise Hospital. That’s no shock. He should’ve gone to Valley Hospital, he should’ve been with Doc D [Dr. Jeff Davidson]. Doc D would’ve got him right in. They would’ve checked his vitals; they would’ve seen where he was,” said White. “I’m not saying the fight could’ve been saved, but maybe it could’ve.”