Despite his best efforts, UFC CEO Dana White could never get Tony Ferguson booked against Khabib Nurmagomedov when both combatants were in their fighting prime. If “El Cucuy” wasn’t tripping over his own
two feet, then “Eagle” was nesting on a plate of Tiramisu.
Sounds like Ferguson, 41, is still open to the matchup.
“I’m going to be real, there’s only two people that I want to go and fight regardless of where it’s going to be at, and the interesting fights would be either Conor (McGregor) or Khabib,” Ferguson told Helen Yee. “I think regardless of what happens, it’s going to sell tickets, good or bad, literally that’s what it’s for. The hype. But you put me up there with Khabib at the White House, and I guarantee you guys are going to have fireworks. You have Khabib-Tony Round 6, make it happen.”
Nurmagomedov, 37, retired after finishing Justin Gaethje back in late 2020.
Stepping away from the spotlight allowed his teammate, Islam Makhachev, to take over the reigns at 155 pounds, After dominating the lightweight field, Makhachev moved up to welterweight and captured the 170-pound title with a commanding performance against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in New York.
He still loses to prime Ferguson, who was cut by UFC after losing eight straight.
“To me, in my opinion, Islam was one of the dudes that always had Khabib in the practice room,” Ferguson added. “At the time, it was kind of like [Aljamain Sterling] and Merab [Dvalishvili], just feeling like when ‘Aljo’ left then Merab finally started to shine and stuff. It’s the same thing with Khabib and Islam. I always thought Islam was more of a conditioned athlete, and doing his thing, but best of luck. But in my prime, kick your ass.”
Ferguson returns to action against Warren Spencer at Misfits 23 in Dubai.
