Tony Ferguson is game to fight Justin Gaethje for the UFC interim lightweight title, but thinks the former WSOF champ hits like a ‘b-tch’.
Justin Gaethje made one of the most impressive UFC debuts in recent memory last night, crumpling top-five lightweight talent Michael Johnson in the second round at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale.
Gaethje, the former WSOF lightweight champion, traded back-and-forth with Johnson at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada before buckling and finishing his opponent with a devastating knee.
After the bout, the 28-year-old brawler called out Tony Ferguson on the FS1 post-fight show, making a promise to ‘take out’ the best fighters in the world.
“I want Ferguson, that’s who I want,” Gaethje said. “I want to take out the best in America, then I want to take out the best in the world.”
Ferguson, who is officially ranked at No. 2 in the official UFC lightweight rankings, responded on social media, calling Gaethje a ‘b-tch’. Despite dismissing Gaethje’s talent, ‘El Cucuy’ said he’s willing to fight ‘The Highlight’ for the interim title.
@Justin_Gaethje You Hit Like A Bitch- You’re Not On My Level, But If Its For The Belt.I’d Be Glad To Beat That Ass For The Interm @Danawhite
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) July 8, 2017
Ferguson, 33, was expected to fight the top-ranked Khabib Nurmagomedov for the interim belt at UFC 209, but ‘The Eagle’ pulled out of the fight at the last minute due to a failed weight cut. Ferguson last fought at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale, battering former champ Rafael dos Anjos in the main event.
With no word on Nurmagomedov’s return and current champ Conor McGregor gearing up to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a 12-round boxing match on Aug 26, an interim title fight between Ferguson and Gaethje is probably what’s best for business.