Archives: Khabib Willing To Pay Tony Ferguson to Fight (2017)

On this day five years ago, the MMA world was still eager to see a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. In this article, Khabib does everything in his power to make the fight happen before it was ultimately booked as an interim lightwe…

Tony Ferguson Khabib Nurmagomedov

On this day five years ago, the MMA world was still eager to see a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. In this article, Khabib does everything in his power to make the fight happen before it was ultimately booked as an interim lightweight title bout at UFC 209, which he had to pull out from due to weight-cutting complications.

The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

On This Day Five Years Ago…

[ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JANUARY 2, 2017, 4:59 PM]

HEADLINE: Khabib Nurmagomedov Willing To Pay Tony Ferguson to Fight

Author: Adam Haynes

Khabib Nurmagomedov took to social media this morning to offer Tony Ferguson a cash incentive to fight.

Conor McGregor may be the lightweight champion of the world, but there is a strong case to suggest that no one is more deserved of a title shot than “The Eagle”. Nurmagomedov is currently the #1-ranked lightweight in the UFC, and intends to secure a showdown with “The Notorious” by ensuring a clear path is made to a bout with the Irishman.

The 28-year-old Dagestani has been pragmatic in his efforts to secure a shot at the 155lb strap in the past, and he will hope that his challenge to Ferguson is accepted in order to edge closer to his designs on UFC gold.

A much-anticipated bout between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson hit the skids last week after it emerged that Dana White had called it off on the grounds of a dispute over pay from the American’s camp. White is reluctant to negotiate on a contract that has recently been signed by Ferguson, suggesting that “El Cucuy” should honor the existing terms of their agreement. White [via Fox Sports] insisted:

“We were trying to make that fight — Tony said he will not do that fight unless he makes the same exact money that Khabib makes. Khabib has a different deal. That ain’t happening. Count that out.”

“He has a contract that he just signed, not long ago. I honor every contract no matter what it is. I get into some (expletive) deals, too. You’ve got a guy who’s making tons of money but he was a champion, but that was the deal I cut. I cut that deal and I signed it and I’ve got to live with my deal.”

Nurmagomedov has handled this latest setback accordingly, offering $200,000 dollars to Ferguson from his own pocket. It appears that Russia’s premier UFC star will not entertain the idea of fighting anyone else other than Ferguson, going as far as suggesting that he is being kept from reaching the top via clandestine politics by the UFC top-brass. “The Eagle” took to Instagram recently to confirm that his sights are firmly set on the 155lb throne:

“This message to UFC — it is clear to everyone that you hiding Conor from me. But stop lying to your fans like I don’t want fight with Aldo, I’m ready to fight with anyone in my division. Give me relevant fight, so you won’t be able to hide the belt from me after. But not the fight, where people say after my victory: he is too small, Khabib too big for him etc”.

While there are many fights out there for the sambo-expert, not many can deny his credentials as a worthy challenger to McGregor. With the Dubliner having all but confirmed his temporary hiatus from the octagon for the foreseeable future, Nurmagomedov knows that he must remain active and solidify his status as the next man in line for a title shot. A victory against Tony Ferguson will surely stake his claim for a “red panty night”, and propel him closer to the fight which many believe is long overdue.

Continue Reading Archives: Khabib Willing To Pay Tony Ferguson to Fight (2017) at MMA News.

Shots Fired: Brendan Schaub Goes All-Out Personal On Dana White

Oh my. Brendan Schaub is throwing SMOKE at Dana White.

The post Shots Fired: Brendan Schaub Goes All-Out Personal On Dana White appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Earlier today the mixed martial arts world was besieged by a strange online feud between UFC president Dana White and former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub.

The feud centered on UFC middleweight Israel Adesanya’s interpretation of Schaub’s recent assessment that high-level kickboxers rarely made a seamless transition to MMA, something that the rising

“Last Stylebender” took offense to on his personal Instagram. Schaub later clarified that he was talking about kickboxing legend Gokhan Saki, who was knocked out at last week’s UFC 226, but not before White intervened and went off on Schaub’s own credentials:

“Such a (expletive) tool!!!! What the (expletive) does this idiot know about the sport or the business??? @stylebender for u to be listening to one word from this MORON is a waste of ur time. Guy went 6-5 in the UFC!!! The only thing he could teach u is how to get KO’d. Tune idiots like this OUT.”

White was met with a comment from a fan that focused on Schaub’s verifiable success as a podcast host and stand-up comedian, to which White suggested was only because of his friendship with Joe Rogan:

“He’s successful? As soon as Rogan stops carrying him he’ll disappear.”

Apparently, Schaub had enough of White’s callout, as he issued an incendiary reply that went off on White’s so-called inability to run the UFC without his onetime partners the Fertitta brothers – something that may be coming true as UFC ratings and pay-per-view buys continue to slump. “Big Brown” focused on the UFC’s current attempts to regain mainstream success by booking fighters like CM Punk and Brock Lesnar as another sign White couldn’t do his job without Frank and Lorenzo:

I tried to be cool. @danawhite #Icandoyourjobyoucantdomine ?

A post shared by Brendan Schaub (@brendanschaub) on

The ‘eskimo brothers’ dig at the end of the flame-worthy post has the Internet ablaze based on the assumption that White also had sex with Schaub’s ex-girlfriend, Ronda Rousey.

While that’s quite the assumption with no evidence to back it up as of now, it’s safe to say Schaub is fired up and speaking his true feelings about White – many of which may hold at least some degree of truth as the UFC keeps struggling.

Regardless, the gloves are off, so don’t expect this to be the last update in this developing rivalry. Stay tuned fight fans.

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Dana White & Brendan Schaub Go Off In Bizarre Instagram War

Who won this strange Instagram showdown between Dana White & Brendan Schaub?

The post Dana White & Brendan Schaub Go Off In Bizarre Instagram War appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Dana White just can’t let go of his infamous social media blowups.

Although the polarizing UFC president has largely shied away from going off on fans on Twitter during the current Endeavor-owned era of the UFC, he’s apparently not above going off on a prominent former fighter.

Such was the case when former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub dared to criticize hyped rising middleweight Israel Adesanya, who picked up his biggest win with a dominant showing at last Friday’s The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 27 Finale from Las Vegas.

Schaub wasn’t sold, however, urging listeners to pump the brakes on touted kickboxer Adensanya on his “Below the Belt” podcast this week:

“I think everybody is all high and mighty on these guys who come from kickboxing, boxing backgrounds. When they come over to the UFC, they expect them to be elite strikers. The distance, the combos, the head movement, the number of variables, it’s a completely different game. So to me that never translates.”

Adesanya took offense to the comments, however, posting a video on his Instagram account blasting Schaub’s offering the criticism before closing his laptop screen:

Ssshhhh…? #ithinkyoudbesurprised

A post shared by Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) on

An understandable response from Adesanya, the undefeated prospect who absolutely looks like the real deal after debuting at No. 9 on the official UFC rankings following his win over veteran Tavares.

But Schaub’s hesitancy to crown “The Last Stylebender” the next big thing in MMA is justified as well, with high-profile kickboxers like Gokhan Saki, who was knocked out by Khalil Rountree Jr. in his second UFC fight at UFC 226, and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, whom Schaub knocked out and largely had an underwhelming career in the UFC after endless hype in Pride, coming up short in the world’s leading MMA outfit.

White didn’t agree with “Big Brown,” however, so much so that he actually got on to Adesanya’s Instagram to blast Schaub in the comments:

“Such a (expletive) tool!!!! What the (expletive) does this idiot know about the sport or the business??? @stylebender for u to be listening to one word from this MORON is a waste of ur time. Guy went 6-5 in the UFC!!! The only thing he could teach u is how to get KO’d. Tune idiots like this OUT.”

Schaub then replied with his own retort, blasting White in a big way by saying he had taken a break from ‘folding Ronda’s laundry’ before clarifying he was talking about Saki and his UFC loss rather than Adesanya, who already had a ton of success in mixed martial arts:

“@danawhite whoooooooa look who got a break from folding Ronda’s laundry to jump on instagram. Bravo sir. He’s right @stylebender what do I know listen to the bald fat guy who has never been in a fight in his life. Do that.”

“You’re a monster. I was referring to guy with Lil mma Experience (Saki) was my main point coming straight to UFC or major mma leagues. You have a ton of experience in mma before getting to the UFC.”

So perhaps it was a misunderstanding, but White wasn’t willing to let it go, blasting Schaub in response to a commenter who insisted he was successful by saying he was only riding Joe Rogan’s coattails:

The gloves are off between White and Schaub, and it appears the whole thing could have been avoided if only Schaub was allowed to explain his position on the matter, as he was talking more about Saki than Adesanya, who took major offense to a statement that supposedly wasn’t about him (and probably wasn’t).

White came to the defense of his current rising star, yet you have to wonder if the president of a company that sold for $4.2 billion two years ago really needs to be doing that – or why he has time to do so.

Welcome to the “entertainment era” in the UFC, fans, where trash talk is king. The jury’s still out if it’s actually entertaining, however.

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Conor McGregor Is Giving Out Free Financial Advice Online

Conor McGregor is an incredibly wealthy man, especially after his blockbuster boxing bout against Floyd Mayweather in August. The 100-million dollar man took to Instagram to drop some peculiar financial advice, coming from a man who has a different Lamborghini for every day of the week. Check out McGregor’s pearls of wisdom as he keeps […]

The post Conor McGregor Is Giving Out Free Financial Advice Online appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Conor McGregor is an incredibly wealthy man, especially after his blockbuster boxing bout against Floyd Mayweather in August.

The 100-million dollar man took to Instagram to drop some peculiar financial advice, coming from a man who has a different Lamborghini for every day of the week.

Check out McGregor’s pearls of wisdom as he keeps fight fans and fellow lightweights in the lurch over when he will return to MMA:

Comfort on the commercial flight! Rocking my custom made 'NOTORIOUS' @beatsbydre headphones! Thank you Dre Beats! Here is today's thoughts – Financial awareness is key at all times. Look at many of our favourite athletes and performers post career. Often it is not a pretty site. Tyson made over 300 million in his fighting career and today stands at a net worth of just 1 million. You must be switched on at all times with your money. We cannot switch off here. Know your money and where it is going at all times and never ever go broke, trying to look rich. This is coming from me. I am the most flashiest. I just posted a picture on a yacht sipping Fiji water from an ice cold glass before this. But trust me! I am the most intelligent also. Everything is a tactical move. Everything. This is how we must truly lead our next generations way of thinking. Now as I get older at 29 years of age, I find that I am becoming more and more interested in where much of the money in my home state has gone and where it actually goes when it comes in. There are more and more things I see daily that do not add up. I see many things I do not like and I see many things that I feel can be easily amended under correct instruction. We shall see. Stay woke at all times kids. See you all at this event later today ?

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on

McGregor clearly has enough money to last him a lifetime, so the real question is when and who he will fight next. All financial advice aside, “The Notorious” has to find ways to keep his name out there other than Instagram life lessons.

Will McGregor’s wealth keep him from the Octagon?

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Staff Photographer For Jackson-Wink Calls Cyborg A ‘Dude’ On Instagram

A staff photographer for Jackson-Winklejohn MMA gym is in hot water after an Instagram post calling Cris “Cyborg” a man. The photographer, who was credentialed for UFC 219, is named Mark Aragon and his errant Instagram post has put the entire  Jackson-Wink gym in quite a bad light. See the inflammatory post for yourself: Aragon’s […]

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A staff photographer for Jackson-Winklejohn MMA gym is in hot water after an Instagram post calling Cris “Cyborg” a man.

The photographer, who was credentialed for UFC 219, is named Mark Aragon and his errant Instagram post has put the entire  Jackson-Wink gym in quite a bad light.

See the inflammatory post for yourself:

Aragon’s official role within the camp is official video and media director as well as staff photographer. His post received immediate backlash and he eventually deleted it upon the indication of bad press.

Aragon has not yet responded to the post, but this isn’t the first time the Jackson-Wink gym has been in hot water for a social media disaster.

Someone from the camp liked a post that called UFC bantamweight  Aljamain Sterling an “n-word”, which was the cause of much consternation.

”Cyborg” defeated Jackson-Wink fighter Holly Holm in the main event of UFC 219.

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Jon Jones Chronicles on Instagram His Big Day with Top UFC Stars

Jon Jones is not just a UFC champion. He’s also a UFC fan. Earlier this week, the champ took to Instagram to capture several moments with other luminaries that probably never would have happened for your garden-variety aficionado. Jones’ activities on the social media site, gathered by MMA Junkie, were part of Monday’s widely hyped UFC news […]

Jon Jones is not just a UFC champion. He’s also a UFC fan. Earlier this week, the champ took to Instagram to capture several moments with other luminaries that probably never would have happened for your garden-variety aficionado. Jones’ activities on the social media site, gathered by MMA Junkie, were part of Monday’s widely hyped UFC news […]