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Epic UFC 254 Card Won't Be On At The Usual Time

Epic UFC 254 Card Won't Be On At The Usual Time

It's bad news for Khabib Nurmagomedov fans in America but fans in Europe will be much happier with the time of the card,

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

UFC fans in Europe won't be in for a long night on October 24th when Khabib Nurmagomedov defends his title against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.

The event could be one of the best of the year, as lightweight champion Khabib defends against the interim title holder Gaethje on Fight Island, with Tony Ferguson vs Dustin Poirier expected to be on the undercard.

Fans in Europe are often left waiting till 6 am Sunday to watch the main event on big cards but it looks like this time they'll be able to watch on Saturday night.

Dana White revealed that Fight Island 2, still on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, will take place on European time, not US time like last time.

Khabib hasn't fought this year but was supposed to fight Ferguson at UFC 249 for the lightweight title. The Covid-19 pandemic left the pair struggling to find a venue and eventually the Russian had to pull out of the fight as he couldn't leave his come country.

It was the fifth time the pair were meant to meet and one or the other had to pull out. Gaethje jumped in to replace The Eagle and surprised Ferguson with a fifth round stoppage to claim the interim title.

Ferguson does have the chance to get back amongst the title picture when he faces Poirier on the undercard and there's plenty of interesting match ups expected elsewhere on the card.

Exciting Russian Zabit Magomedsharipov is set to face Yair Rodriguez, after that fight had to be pulled from Fight Night on August 29th and former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker looks likely to face Jared Cannonier.

Finally a third Russian, Islam Makhachev, looks to be taking on former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.

It really could be the card of the year, and European fans won't have to hit the caffeine too hard to watch it all, happy days.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics:ย Khabib Nurmagomedov, Fight Island, Justin Gaethje, UFC News, MMA News, Tony Ferguson, UFC, MMA

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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@Sidler28