The long-awaited comeback of unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov has been postponed once more, as an injury has sidelined "The Eagle" and forced him out of his Dec. 11 bout against fellow lightweight contender Tony Ferguson.
But the card at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will still get its dose of "El Cucuy," as the eighth-ranked Ferguson now faces No. 6-ranked Edson Barboza.
Winner of three of his last four, Barboza is coming off a Fight of the Night victory over Paul Felder in July. Following the bout, the Brazilian was asked about a bout against Ferguson or former lightweight champ Anthony Pettis.
“For sure, man," Barboza said. "If one of those guys could be my next fight I would be very happy and would be ready for any of those two.”
Now he will get his wish against a former Ultimate Fighter winner who has won six straight and four by KO or submission.
In the main event, televised by FOX Sports 1, Frankie Edgar meets Chad Mendes in a clash of featherweight contenders.
As of yet there is no timetable on the return on Nurmagomedov, who has been out of action since April of 2014. Stay tuned to UFC.com for updates.
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