'UFC 223 Embedded,' No. 1: How Khabib Nurmagomedov handled Tony Ferguson withdrawal news

The UFC returns to pay-per-view this weekend with the most anticipated event of the year so far, and the promotion has rolled out its “Embedded” treatment to preview UFC 223.

The event takes place Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

In the headliner featherweight champion Max Holloway (19-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) takes on Khabib Nurmagomedov (25-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) for the undisputed lightweight title, a booking that was made on just six days’ notice following Tony Ferguson’s withdrawal because of injury. And in the co-main event, women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (7-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) defends her title in a rematch with Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC), who she defeated five months ago to win the belt.

Here’s the UFC’s description of the first “Embedded” episode:

Episode 1 of UFC 223 Embedded, former strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk pushes herself with the goal of reclaiming her belt, and defending champion Rose Namajunas readies for the rematch. Title contender Khabib Nurmagomedov arrives in New York City for his long-awaited championship fight against Tony Ferguson. Jedrzejczyk enjoys a going-away breakfast with her camp, and Nurmagomedov brings his team to Renzo Gracie’s Brooklyn facility. Fight week kicks off with a shocking announcement from UFC President Dana White, and Nurmagomedov reacts to the news that his opponent will be featherweight champion Max Holloway. UFC 223 Embedded is an all-access, behind-the-scenes video blog leading up to the two championship bouts at UFC 223: Ferguson vs. Khabib on Saturday, April 7 on Pay-Per-View.

For more on UFC 223, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.