Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to defend his UFC lightweight title against Tony Ferguson in April of next year.
The UFC is reportedly aiming to hold the fight at the Brooklyn Center, according to president Dana White.
Neither fighter has signed on the fight yet, according to ESPN.
However, both parties have expressed a desire to take the fight.
Nurmagomedov and Ferguson, ranked #1 and #6 in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings, have been slated to fight four times already in their careers, but have never shared the octagon.
A series of outside factors have always come in the way of the pair, but they are now seemingly set to finally get it on.
Nurmagomedov last fought against Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in September, defending his title by submission with a rear-naked choke.
The Russian is undefeated from 28 professional MMA fights, and is known for his dominant ground-and-pound game.
Ferguson, on the other hand, is one of the most exciting fighters in the world, and hasn’t lost since 2012.
The American is on a brilliant 12-fight win streak, and has won five ‘fight of the night’ awards in his last six outings.
He last fought at UFC 238 in June, defeating Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone by stoppage in the second round.
Earlier this weekend, Nurmagomedov confirmed that the fight would not take place in Las Vegas, due to the ongoing fall-out from his 2018 fight with Conor McGregor and subsequent brawl with his team.
“Even if they (Vegas) apologize or not, we found a new venue for the fight,” he said.
“It’s going to be in Brooklyn most likely, I’m not sure about the date yet.
“We’re still discussing it with the UFC but it looks like it will happen at the beginning of April.”