Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was not exactly pleased with rival Tony Ferguson’s performance against Justin Gaethje last night (Sat., May 9, 2020) at UFC 249 live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., as “El Cucuy” was battered for five rounds before suffering a late TKO stoppage (highlights HERE).
Nurmagomedov was expected to fight Ferguson at UFC 249 last month before Russian travel restrictions knocked the champ out of commission and Gaethje took his spot. It was the fifth time a Khabib vs. Ferguson matchup has been cancelled, making it seem as if the MMA world will never get the long-awaited lightweight fight.
Following Ferguson’s uncharacteristic loss to Gaethje in UFC’s return event, Khabib wasted little time jumping on social media and taking a slight dig at “El Cucuy.”
No comment.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 10, 2020
“No comment,” wrote Khabib via Twitter.
Simple, but sweet.
Nurmagomedov, who remains stranded in Moscow under self quarantine while also celebrating Ramadan, is expected to return this fall and unify his lightweight title with Gaethje. That spot was reserved for Ferguson, but MMA has a funny way of changing up a script without notice. Now “Highlight” gets the next crack at the undefeated Russian champ.
After his two-word message to Ferguson, Khabib sent some kind words to his future opponent.
@Justin_Gaethje it was so impressive, congratulations. Very smart fight.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 10, 2020
“Justin Gaethje, it was so impressive, congratulations. Very smart fight,” wrote Khabib via Twitter.
For complete UFC 249 results and coverage click here.