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Michael Chandler claps back at Tony Ferguson.
Tony Ferguson isn’t too happy that UFC newcomer Michael Chandler will be on standby for the UFC 254 main event between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, claiming that the former three-time Bellator lightweight champion isn’t deserving of a slot on the biggest pay-per-view of the year.
“Now you’re going to bring in a new dude who I have no clue who this dude is,” Ferguson said on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show (h/t BJPenn.com). “From a marketing standpoint, dude has less than 100k on Twitter. You’re going to try him more notoriety by throwing him against me and throwing him on the Khabib card. I get it. But don’t pay him more than us. He has zero time in the UFC.”
Chandler, who holds wins over former UFC champions Eddie Alvarez and Benson Henderson, soon caught wind of Ferguson’s comments and replied by alleging that ‘El Cucuy’ turned down a fight at UFC 254.
You Turned Down The Fight With Me October 24 On The Biggest Card Of The Year…Now You’re Talking?
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) October 7, 2020
“You Turned Down The Fight With Me October 24 On The Biggest Card Of The Year…Now You’re Talking?” Chandler posted.
Chandler signed with the UFC last month and will fill in for Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje should one of the fighters pull out of UFC 254 due to unforeseen circumstances. The NCAA Division I wrestling standout is widely considered one of the best lightweights in the world.
Ferguson, 36, hasn’t fought since his fifth-round TKO loss to Gaethje at UFC 249.
UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje takes place on Oct. 24 at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.