Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson to Clash for Interim LW Title at UFC 209

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson will clash for the interim lightweight crown at UFC 209, the promotion announced on Thursday.

UFC 209 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 4 and is headlined by a welterweight championship rematch between Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson. Conor McGregor won the 155-pound title with a victory over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, but the Dublin native is expected to take an extended leave of absence as he awaits the birth of his first child.

Nurmagomedov is unbeaten in 24 professional bouts, including including eight under the UFC banner. In his last outing, “The Eagle” overwhelmed Michael Johnson before winning via third-round submission at UFC 205.

Ferguson, meanwhile, is on a nine-fight winning streak in the UFC. Most recently, “El Cucuy” earned a clear-cut five-round decision over ex-lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 98 on Nov. 5.