Tony Ferguson simply can’t give up Khabib Nurmagomedov.
It’s been over 5 years since Ferguson and Nurmagomedov had been final set to compete for a UFC title, a reserving that fell by means of simply as a number of of their scheduled conferences had. The battle of light-weight greats stays one in every of MMA’s most steadily talked about “what if?” fights and it seems “El Cucuy” nonetheless has the rivalry on his thoughts.
In an interview with Helen Yee, Ferguson mentioned he nonetheless loves the concept of sometime teaching reverse Nurmagomedov on The Ultimate Fighter, having beforehand gained the long-running UFC actuality present himself in 2011 as a member of workforce Brock Lesnar.
“I might undoubtedly take the chance to teach in opposition to him,” Ferguson mentioned. “He’s a knucklehead, he’s nonetheless fats, and he wears that hat, I’d love to wash the mats with it.
“However I feel that the chance, as a substitute of speaking shit, it might be fascinating to see what sort of talent degree every particular person has. You’re speaking about—I imply, I used to be coached by Brock, proper?—I feel it might be an fascinating draw. So, I imply, Khabib, for positive, undoubtedly. I might discuss to you all day about that.”
Ferguson and Nurmagomedov have each stayed within the headlines, with Ferguson nonetheless competing 17 years into a professional profession—and at the moment in an eight-fight droop—and Nurmagomedov staying lively in retirement, most notably as coach and cornerman for UFC star Islam Makhachev.
A protégé of the undefeated Nurmagomedov, Makhachev has carved out a formidable legacy of his personal, having misplaced simply as soon as in 28 fights and claiming the report for many consecutive UFC light-weight title defenses at 4. Subsequent for Makhachev, he strikes as much as 170 kilos to face welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena later this 12 months.
From what Ferguson has seen, Makhachev stacks up effectively in opposition to his mentor, at the very least on the subject of their extremely vaunted wrestling.
“Anyone was telling me, who do you assume is a greater wrestler, is it Makhachev or is it Khabib?” Ferguson mentioned. “I feel Makhachev is the higher grappler, actually. I feel he’s just a little bit quicker. I feel with Khabib, I feel he’s just a bit bit extra not timid of the freestyle that Makhachev presents, however I feel Makhachev he’s not going to be so dangerous at 170. I feel he’ll be alright.”
Requested for his ideas on Makhachev vacating the title, Ferguson thinks he’s performed sufficient to earn his shot at two-division champion standing, although he couldn’t assist however take the chance to take yet another verbal shot at Nurmagomedov.
“OK, so you could have Islam Makhachev that went up north to 170 after which you could have Ilia Topuria from ‘45, he’s going to go as much as ‘55 to combat [Charles Oliveira],” Ferguson mentioned. “Look, when it goes into it, it’s a must to have any individual f*cking combat for the belt. … When you could have [four title defenses], I feel that’s a sensible transfer. Once you go up, you’re going to attempt to construct legacy, you’re going to do sure issues like that.
“And he’s going to run like his cousin.”
