UFC: Ferguson Dismisses Khabib, Says Gaethje Fight Is For The Real Belt

Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov have been scheduled to fight each other five times, all of which were cancelled. Including the latest attempt at UFC 249 on April 18th. ‘El Cucuy’ is now set to face Justin Gaethje on the adjusted UFC 249 card on May 9th, for the interim lightweight title, putting his 12-fight win streak on the line.

Ferguson told MMA Fighting that the fight with Gaethje is what matters now, when asked about the possible re-booking of the match with Khabib.

“I’m not going to answer that f***ing question,” he said. “We’re worrying about UFC 249. The fight’s with Justin Gaethje.”

Clearly agitated, Ferguson dismissed Khabib as the 155 pound champion and the idea that he’s fighting for the interim title.

“F*** Khabib,” he said. “I’m going to be real. I want to say f*** Khabib. I’m defending my belt for the third time. This is for the real belt. This is not for an interim title. This is for the real championship s***. It’s champ s*** only, buddy.

“That dude’s a bitch. I’m going to be real. Him and McNuggets (Conor McGregor). They both need to f***ing retire. The only two real men out there are going to be me and Justin Gaethje. American motherf***ers.”

UFC Justin Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov
Image courtesy of LowKick MMA

Ferguson has full belief in his preparation. So much so that he doesn’t feel like this is a short notice fight.

“It wasn’t short notice,” he said. “I’ve been training for f***ing six to seven months. As soon as we found out we were going to fight Khabib, I was already training in December. Obviously, conditioning’s there, strength’s there, my body’s completely changed.

“I didn’t have a strength and conditioning coach besides myself and I actually had my trainers put me through the ringer for every single practice,” Ferguson continued. “I mean 12 hour days, I mean seriously, man, it wasn’t easy. But I made it happen. I’m very lucky to be able to have a f***ing team, one of the best teams that’s out there in the whole entire world, and I’m ready for f***ing anything.”

Although Gaethje is a very dangerous opponent. In part due to his durability and strong wrestling base, which enables him to impose the pressure on the feet, Ferguson is ready for him like he is for everybody else.

“I went on The Ultimate Fighter and I won that bitch at 170 pounds and it was a tournament. So it doesn’t matter who you put in front of me. I’m going to go out there and give my best. Win or lose, I’m going to walk away a f***ing winner,” he concluded.

Who do you think wins between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje next Saturday at UFC 249?


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