Khabib Nurmagomedov regrets never fighting Tony Ferguson.
Once upon a time when ‘El Cucuy‘ was sitting on an incredible 12-fight win streak in the lightweight division, he was paired up with Nurmagomedov on no less than five occasions. The two fighters alternated withdrawals due to various injuries and weight-cutting issues before the final nail in the coffin came in 2020 when the UFC’s final attempt was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking back on the fight that never was during an appearance on the Inspire Me Podcast, Nurmagomedov admitted to feeling sad that he never got the chance to compete against ‘El Cucuy’ inside the Octagon.
Khabib Nurmagomedov claims he was upset he never got to face Tony Ferguson but thinks the only way he’d win is from a lucky punch.
“My game is worse for him, he doesn’t have wrestling, grappling so what’s he gonna do with me? How’s he gonna stop me? Only chance he’d have to… pic.twitter.com/ZfhE9W18QV
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) August 26, 2024
Khabib Nurmagomedov claims he was upset he never got to face Tony Ferguson but thinks the only way he’d win is from a lucky punch.
”I feel little bit sad,” Nurmagomedov revealed.
As for how their fight would have gone, ‘The Eagle’ believes Ferguson would have had a puncher’s chance, but that’s about it.
”My game is worse for him, he doesn’t have wrestling, grappling so what’s he gonna do with me? How’s he gonna stop me? Only chance he’d have to stop me is a lucky punch,” he continued. Like with everybody: Conor, Poirier, Justin Gaethje. They talk about ‘They can stop him if they get a lucky punch.” (h/t Sportskeeda).
Tony Ferguson has not won since his last attempt to fight Khabib fell through
Tony Ferguson currently finds himself on an eight-fight win streak dating back to May 2020, a month after his last attempt to fight Nurmagomedov fell through. Along the way, he’s suffered losses against lightweight stars including Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, and Paddy Pimblett.
His latest defeat, a first-round submission at the hands of TUF alumnus Michael Chiesa, officially broke the streak for most losses in a row, previously held by former two-division champion B.J. Penn.
Everyone expected Ferguson to finally lay down his gloves and call it a career following the fight, but ‘El Cucuy’ continued to leave the door open for another fight, even if it meant competing outside of the UFC.
