The unbeaten UFC light heavyweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, has a perfect 29-0 record and says he has no regrets about his career. But he had an idea for a battle, and one name in particular jumped out: Tony Ferguson. Although they were supposed to fight five times, the fight never took place, despite their famous animosity.
Although Ferguson was never seen as a serious threat, Khabib acknowledges that he wanted to fight him. It was a one-sided match in Khabib’s favor. Khabib stated on the podcast, “I always understand my game—it’s the worst for him,” but he also admitted to feeling a little depressed. “He has no experience boxing. He’s not got any grappling. What will he do to me, exactly? How will he stop me, exactly? It was simply a lucky break, how could he just stop me?”
Khabib’s Confidence in Ferguson
The record of Khabib’s supremacy in the lightweight class is well known; he has faced and destroyed elite fighters like Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Conor McGregor, and he regards Ferguson as just another one of those opponents, dismissing the idea that Ferguson could have stopped him. “Like everybody, like Conor, Poirier, Justin Gaethje, everybody’s saying, ‘Oh, he can be stopped like Khabib [he’ll be caught with a happy punch] but the other stuff, how can he stop.’ I’M?” The question was posed by Khabib.
Khabib seemed unaffected by Ferguson’s stellar record as a 155-pound competitor. He considered their ability to fight as just another obstacle that he could easily go beyond. “When he fought Danny Castillo, [Bennell] Dariush, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, all these guys beat him,” said Khabib. “His defense in wrestling was nonexistent. His grappling was not very good. It was the worst fight game I had for him.”
It is uncommon for a bout to go unscheduled after five attempts, but Khabib and Ferguson experienced just that. Fans never saw the rivalry reach its zenith because of frequent cancellations brought on by injuries and other problems on both sides. Though he acknowledges the disappointment, Khabib chooses to see it philosophically. “I’m a little upset, but what can we do?” That was said by Khabib. It is impossible for anyone to alter God’s plan. Five fights were necessary. I’m injured, but it’s not my fault, he said as he pulled out.”
Khabib understands that the fight was more than just meant to be because of his faith in fate. “It makes me feel a little bit depressed, but at the same time, I think I showed who he is at what level,” Khabib remarked, analyzing his method and career.
Ferguson’s Answer: Fire back
Tony Ferguson isn’t about to back down from Khabib’s remarks because of his unwavering attitude. Ferguson is unflinching despite his recent setbacks, which include an eight-game losing run. To Khabib’s assertion that a fortuitous punch was his sole chance of success, he responded on Instagram. “I was going to leave you alone, but ew,” Ferguson wrote, clutching his lucky fist. I was unable to resist it. Yes, you [fat fck]. Coward like a chicken, look fcking p*ssy. 29-1 Hide Khabibar.”
Ferguson’s vehement response indicates that, in spite of lost and wasted opportunities, he is eager to prove himself to Khabib. Ferguson tells everyone to keep going after the unfinished match in the Octagon. The match never happened. Ferguson said, “Until further notice, ol’ fathead knows when it’s professional,” demonstrating his continued tenacity.
An Inheritance from Ferguson and Khabib
Although Khabib has retired and left a huge legacy, Ferguson’s future is still unknown. It appears that he is determined to continue fighting even though his stint in the UFC is coming to an end. Khabib, for his part, is content with his career since he understands that a fight was not intended.
