By Josh Sanchez

Late Sunday night, MMA fans were hoping they were simply victims of an April Fools' prank when news surfaced that the highly anticipated UFC 223 lightweight matchup between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov had been canceled—again. 

Ferguson was reportedly injured in a freak accident during a media tour in which he simply tripped.

As a result of Ferguson’s withdrawal, featherweight champion Max Holloway agreed to step up on short notice and accept the fight vs. Nurmagomedov.

As for any hope that Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov will one day come to fruition, UFC President Dana White said there’s not a chance.

“Hell no!” White told ESPN. “I’m never making that fight ever again. Ever.”

This is the fourth time the bout has been canceled.  

The two lightweight contenders were initially set to face off at the TUF 22 Finale, but Nurmogomedov suffered a rib injury. Ferguson then withdrew from the bout when it was rescheduled at UFC on FOX 19. Hoping the third time would be a charm, the fight was rebooked for UFC 209, but Nurmagomedov had issues during the weight cut that set him to the hospital. 

Now, Ferguson has suffered a torn knee ligament. 

Holloway vs. Nurmagomedov will headline UFC 223 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, this Saturday. The co-main event is a women's strawweight championship rematch between Rose Namajunas and Joanna Jedrzejczyk.