The growing coronavirus pandemic will not affect Khabib Nurmagomedov's UFC 249 clash with Tony Ferguson, it has been confirmed.The duo are set to meet in the main event of UFC 249 with fans desperate to see the pair take to the octagon after four scheduled fights in five years have fallen through.Dana White said two years ago that he would not reschedule the fight after a freak injury suffered by Ferguson had forced the bout to be cancelled days before UFC 223.The rearranged contest is due to take place in New York but Governor Andrew Cuomo recently issued a state-wide ban on gatherings of over 500 people.It now means the fight will be conducted behind closed doors, postponed again or moved to a new location to save on costs.Addressing speculation that the fight would be cancelled for the fifth time, Ali Abdelaziz shared a statement on Twitter.Nurmagomedov's lightweight manager said: "Guys Khabib Nurmagomedov vs sunglasses (Tony Ferguson) is happening April 18th.UFC always find a way with or without fans this fight is going down people at home need entertainment."

It has been reported that, if the fight goes ahead, it will be moved to the UFC Apex complex in Las Vegas.

UFC chief White has repeatedly asked for people to be calm in deciding whether sporting events need to be postponed amid the pandemic; however, he moved UFC Brasilia to an empty venue.

The night's events will go ahead as planned but it will be conducted with no spectators.

UFC London is scheduled for next weekend and White insists the event will still go ahead as the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has not made any suggestion of locking the country down.

Speaking about the upcoming fight nights, White said: "I talked to the president and the vice president.

"They said be careful, be cautious, but live your life and stop panicking.

"Instead of panicking, we’re working with health officials and the government."