Tony Ferguson: Khabib Nurmagomedov has a ‘padded record’ and is a ‘paper champ’

Ferguson accuses Nurmagomedov of padding his record and says his accomplishments trump Khabib’s.

It looks like Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov are destined to meet in the Octagon.

The two top lightweight contenders have traded verbal barbs on social media and ‘El Cucuy’ recently ripped into Nurmagomedov’s ‘padded’ record.

“I’ll take his 24-0 record — it’s (expletive) padded dude,” Ferguson told Damon Martin of FOX Sports. “Look at some of the legit fights he’s had and then look at mine. I’ll take my record over his any day. His record is so padded. He’s a paper champ. Get out of here.

“He says that belt is his? Get out of here. That (expletive) is up for grab. Unless they take that away from Conor (McGregor) so he better get his (expletive) together.”

Nurmagomedov, an undefeated Sambo specialist hailing from Dagestan, has won virtually all of his fights in dominant fashion but has faced criticism for inactivity. ‘The Eagle’ has fought just four times in the past three years due to injury complications and has contemplated retirement in the past.

Earlier this year, however, Nurmagomedov returned to face Darrell Horcher and Michael Johnson, and curbed any criticism of his legitimacy as a lightweight contender. The 28-year-old TKO’d Horcher and made a serious statement when he battered the top-ranked Johnson at UFC 205 last month.

Ferguson, though, who is riding his own wave of momentum, believes he will expose Nurmagomedov next year.

“Khabib doesn’t have hands. I’m going to outbox this dude. I’m going to be too slick for him. He’s flat-footed, “he said.

“I’m going to take this dude apart.”

Ferguson has amassed a 9-fight win streak and recently picked apart former lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale. The 32-year-old is known for his unorthodox fighting style and overwhelming pressure.

It’s expected that Ferguson and Nurmagomedov will fight for the interim 155 lbs title early next year.

Ferguson accuses Nurmagomedov of padding his record and says his accomplishments trump Khabib’s.

It looks like Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov are destined to meet in the Octagon.

The two top lightweight contenders have traded verbal barbs on social media and ‘El Cucuy’ recently ripped into Nurmagomedov’s ‘padded’ record.

“I’ll take his 24-0 record — it’s (expletive) padded dude,” Ferguson told Damon Martin of FOX Sports. “Look at some of the legit fights he’s had and then look at mine. I’ll take my record over his any day. His record is so padded. He’s a paper champ. Get out of here.

“He says that belt is his? Get out of here. That (expletive) is up for grab. Unless they take that away from Conor (McGregor) so he better get his (expletive) together.”

Nurmagomedov, an undefeated Sambo specialist hailing from Dagestan, has won virtually all of his fights in dominant fashion but has faced criticism for inactivity. ‘The Eagle’ has fought just four times in the past three years due to injury complications and has contemplated retirement in the past.

Earlier this year, however, Nurmagomedov returned to face Darrell Horcher and Michael Johnson, and curbed any criticism of his legitimacy as a lightweight contender. The 28-year-old TKO’d Horcher and made a serious statement when he battered the top-ranked Johnson at UFC 205 last month.

Ferguson, though, who is riding his own wave of momentum, believes he will expose Nurmagomedov next year.

“Khabib doesn’t have hands. I’m going to outbox this dude. I’m going to be too slick for him. He’s flat-footed, “he said.

“I’m going to take this dude apart.”

Ferguson has amassed a 9-fight win streak and recently picked apart former lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale. The 32-year-old is known for his unorthodox fighting style and overwhelming pressure.

It’s expected that Ferguson and Nurmagomedov will fight for the interim 155 lbs title early next year.