Tony Ferguson: If Khabib misses weight again, the interim belt is mine

Tony Ferguson has set his conditions for his next contract to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Tony Ferguson was not able to face Khabib Nurmagomedov last weekend at UFC 209, after the latter was forced to pull out due to health issues. For Ferguson it was a “nightmare worse than El Cucuy.”

Ferguson says he is still willing to fight Nurmagomedov sometime in the future. But he is only willing to do so if new terms will be placed in the contract.

“The terms have got to be fair, with assurances that if he doesn’t make weight, that’s my belt. And my show money, and my win money,” Ferguson told ESPN.com.

Apart from the possibility of being the new interim lightweight champion, Khabib also missed out on a $500,000 payday when he pulled out. Others in the industry such as ESPN analyst Chael Sonnen believe that “The Eagle” may have also blown his chance at further glory.

But for Ferguson, Khabib’s failure to show up on Saturday night should bear heavier consequences.

“He needs to take that as a loss. He’s 24-1 now,” Ferguson said. “If you don’t show up, you lose. In football, you have games on a schedule. You take that loss. Right now, I feel he deserves that loss.”

It is still unclear if the UFC is looking to re-book that fight or move in a different direction for both fighters.

Tony Ferguson has set his conditions for his next contract to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Tony Ferguson was not able to face Khabib Nurmagomedov last weekend at UFC 209, after the latter was forced to pull out due to health issues. For Ferguson it was a “nightmare worse than El Cucuy.”

Ferguson says he is still willing to fight Nurmagomedov sometime in the future. But he is only willing to do so if new terms will be placed in the contract.

“The terms have got to be fair, with assurances that if he doesn’t make weight, that’s my belt. And my show money, and my win money,” Ferguson told ESPN.com.

Apart from the possibility of being the new interim lightweight champion, Khabib also missed out on a $500,000 payday when he pulled out. Others in the industry such as ESPN analyst Chael Sonnen believe that “The Eagle” may have also blown his chance at further glory.

But for Ferguson, Khabib’s failure to show up on Saturday night should bear heavier consequences.

“He needs to take that as a loss. He’s 24-1 now,” Ferguson said. “If you don’t show up, you lose. In football, you have games on a schedule. You take that loss. Right now, I feel he deserves that loss.”

It is still unclear if the UFC is looking to re-book that fight or move in a different direction for both fighters.