New UFC 223 main event – Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Al Iaquinta
Undefeated UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov, will now face New York’s own Al Iaquinta for the official lightweight title. The Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Al Iaquinta bout will take place this Saturday at UFC 223: Khabib vs Iaquinta at Barclays Center.
The change in the main event occurred when featherweight champion, Max Holloway, was deemed unfit to fight during today’s early UFC 223 weigh-ins.
Due to Iaquinta not making the 155-pound championship limit, the UFC lightweight title will only be eligible to be won by Nurmagomedov. Should Iaquinta win, he will not be awarded the title, but if Nurmagomedov wins, he will be crowned the undisputed champion.
UPDATE: UFC President Dana White later said that the commission will not recognize the fight as a title fight for Iaquinta if he wins, however, the UFC would figure it out and that he can in fact win the title.
Iaquinta is riding a five-fight win streak with notable victories over Jorge Masvidal, Kevin Lee and Diego Sanchez. On Saturday, he gets the biggest fight of his life in his home state against the most feared lightweight on the planet.
Due to a change in the main event, customers may receive a full ticket refund at the original point of purchase.
