Earlier this week it was confirmed that Tony Ferguson will be fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 209, but today it was announced that’ll be for the interim Lightweight title. Until champion Conor McGregor gets back from his hiatus around May or so.

These two fighters are arguably McGregor’s toughest competition in the division, especially the 24-0 Khabib Nurmagomedov who’s style is believed to be a great counter to McGregor’s.

The fight was rumoured never to happen because Nurmagomedov has been trying to coax Tony Ferguson into a fight for weeks. Even going to the point of offering Ferguson $200k out of his own pocket to fight him. All to no avail, but now…the UFC decided it was a great idea, and who could disagree?

The decision for an interim title 4 months after the belt has changed hands is an odd decision, but with the current champ being inactive…and with the champion being able to do whatever he wants, an interim champion is needed. Plus it adds a bit of spice to the soup, spice that’s welcomed greatly. The new owners of the UFC need something to bring eyes to the screen outside of Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, which the interim title should hopefully do, both these fighters need more attention from the masses and this should do it. It’s gonna be one hell of a fight.

UFC 209 is gonna take place on March 4th, 2017 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.