Tony Ferguson Wants To Fight Dustin Poirier For Vacant Lightweight Title

Ferguson Dustin PoirierTony Ferguson believes he and Dustin Poirier should be fighting for the vacant UFC lightweight title next. The lightweight title is now vacant following Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s retirement at UFC 254 this past weekend and that has led to many speculating who should compete for it next. And as far as Ferguson is concerned, it should […]

Ferguson Dustin Poirier

Tony Ferguson believes he and Dustin Poirier should be fighting for the vacant UFC lightweight title next.

The lightweight title is now vacant following Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s retirement at UFC 254 this past weekend and that has led to many speculating who should compete for it next.

And as far as Ferguson is concerned, it should be him and Poirier.

“Well, I don’t know,” Ferguson told Submission Radio. “I kind of called out everybody on one post, and Dustin already f*cken said ‘Let’s do it’. So, he wants to fight for the f*cken title for me, so he’s already the kind of dude to skip sh*t and kind of whatever he’s gotta do. So, the way I called it was, you gotta have myself and you gotta have Dustin Poirier fight for the title.

“I mean, [Justin] Gaethje f*cking lost. I’ve been sitting here and I’ve been doing my sh*t and making sure I’m keeping cool, calm and collected. Being real, give me the f*cking title shot. Give me my chance. You guys want to see me fight, I really want to fight.”

Ferguson is coming off a loss to Gaethje in their interim lightweight title fight at UFC 249 in May. However, he was a former interim champion himself and was notably on a 12-fight winning streak as he was initially getting ready to face Nurmagomedov in April.

If anyone deserves to fight for the undisputed title, it’s Ferguson and he is certainly ready for a belt.

“I’m ready for a belt,” Ferguson said. “That’s why I said I’m gonna throw a bit more media out there. I haven’t done it because I haven’t had a reason before. Even because I didn’t want to scare Khabib away. But even without f*cken fighting that b*tch I made him retire. So, like I said, props to you, ride off into the sunset with your f*cking hat. When you come back, I’ll put my f*cken baseball hat against your hat and we’ll have a nice cultured exchange.”

“So, like I said, he can ride off into the sunset, he can do his thing, but I’m not gonna change because somebody else is gone. I have to keep on my path. Props to him for completing his mission for his pops and everything like that, but my family would want me to keep continuing on in my dream and all my stuff and making sure I keep my word against other opponents.”

Before Nurmagomedov’s retirement, a fight between Poirier and Conor McGregor was slated for January 23 and many believe if made official, that will go ahead as a vacant title fight.

However, McGregor doesn’t deserve the opportunity according to Ferguson.

“He just deserves a chance to fight, that’s what he deserves,” Ferguson added. “He just deserves a chance to fight. F*ck him and fighting for the title. He needs to fight. He needs to fight somebody like, I don’t know, top 15. Get his ass back on there. He don’t belong in the top five. Get the f*ck out of here. F*ck you, pay me, dude. Nothing personal, but you’re still a b*tch, you know what I mean?

“If you want that heavy competition, quit hanging around everybody else and get your ass back in the gym, or f*cken your own place. Same thing with all these other dudes. Take f*cking notes, man. If you take that many notes, you guys should be better than what you are and have more balls. Looks like somebody f*cken got neutered along the way. At least the top three. Just not me.”

Do you think it should be Ferguson vs. Poirier for the vacant title?

Chael Sonnen Reveals Why Georges St-Pierre vs. Tony Ferguson Grappling Match Didn’t Happen

Sonnen FergusonA grappling match between Georges St-Pierre and Tony Ferguson at Submission Underground was very close to happening. Earlier this month, Ferguson hinted on social media about competing against St-Pierre at Submission Underground as many began to wonder if there were any legs to the potential matchup. It turns out it was very real as Submission […]

Sonnen Ferguson

A grappling match between Georges St-Pierre and Tony Ferguson at Submission Underground was very close to happening.

Earlier this month, Ferguson hinted on social media about competing against St-Pierre at Submission Underground as many began to wonder if there were any legs to the potential matchup.

It turns out it was very real as Submission Underground founder Chael Sonnen provided an update on where things stood with regard to Ferguson.

“We tried to make a match with you versus Georges St-Pierre,” Sonnen told Ferguson in a recent video. “You accepted in about a half of a second. Georges St-Pierre accepted and found out he couldn’t get out of Canada.

“And you said, ‘fine, give me Jordan Burroughs and make it a freestyle wrestling match.” You accepted, matter of fact, it was your idea. To update you on that, Jordan passed on the match so I think that’s a compliment to you.”

Ferguson paid respect to Burroughs despite the latter turning the match down and asked Sonnen to keep him in mind for any future grappling matches as he loves the competition.

It would have certainly been intriguing to see Ferguson battle St-Pierre or even Burroughs in an exhibition match. That said, most fans would still prefer to see “El Cucuy” inside the Octagon, especially with the lightweight title now being vacant.

Ferguson is coming off a fifth-round TKO defeat to Justin Gaethje in May. He was previously undefeated in 12 fights leading up to that setback.

Would you have liked to have seen St-Pierre and Ferguson grapple?

Tony Ferguson Doesn’t Believe Khabib Will Stay Retired: ‘I’ll Be F–king Ready’

Tony Ferguson believes that he’ll get a shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov , even though the latter announced his retirement after UFC 254. “You’re gonna miss it like [Conor McGregor],” Ferguson said (h/t TMZ Sports )…

Tony Ferguson believes that he’ll get a shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov , even though the latter announced his retirement after UFC 254. “You’re gonna miss it like [Conor McGregor],” Ferguson said (h/t TMZ Sports )…

Tony Ferguson Doubts Khabib Nurmagomedov Will Stay Retired

Tony Ferguson doesn’t believe Khabib Nurmagomedov will stay retired. After Nurmagomedov submitted Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 to defend his lightweight title, he announced his retirement from the sport. Immediately, many wondered if he would return…

Tony Ferguson doesn’t believe Khabib Nurmagomedov will stay retired. After Nurmagomedov submitted Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 to defend his lightweight title, he announced his retirement from the sport. Immediately, many wondered if he would return and for Ferguson, he is confident the undefeated Dagestani will be back at some point soon. “I did my […]

The post Tony Ferguson Doubts Khabib Nurmagomedov Will Stay Retired appeared first on MMA News.

Michael Chandler Wants Four-Man Tournament For Lightweight Title

Michael ChandlerRecent UFC signee Michael Chandler has let it be known he wants to waste no time getting a title shot, and he’s come up with an innovative way to get one. The former Bellator MMA star signed with the UFC in September, and was immediately thrown into the lightweight title picture. Chandler even made the […]

Michael Chandler

Recent UFC signee Michael Chandler has let it be known he wants to waste no time getting a title shot, and he’s come up with an innovative way to get one.

The former Bellator MMA star signed with the UFC in September, and was immediately thrown into the lightweight title picture. Chandler even made the 155-pound weight limit to serve as an alternate for the title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Ultimately, his services weren’t needed and Nurmagomedov would go on to submit Gaethje in the second round. Following the win, Nurmagomedov would announce his retirement, which has thrown the division into a state of flux.

In an interview with BT Sport, Chandler offered his own idea to give some clarity to the crowded division (H/T MMA Mania).

“Let’s be honest, I’m the new guy, I’m not going to come in and say, ‘Hey guys, I deserve a title shot,’” the former Bellator champ Chandler told BT Sport. “I’d love my name to be thrown into the mix. I’d love the opportunity to fight in a four man tournament for that title. There’s all sorts of different things the UFC could do, this is the biggest martial arts sports promotion in the world and I’m excited to be a part of it.

“But Conor, Poirier, myself, Ferguson,” he continued. “There’s some names that need to be fighting for a title so let’s make it happen.”

All four men Chandler mentioned have a legitimate claim to a title opportunity. Once thought of as the face of Bellator MMA, Chandler’s stock has arguably never been higher as he has won nine of his past eleven fights and is coming off a first round knockout of Benson Henderson. Poirier rebounded off a loss to Nurmagomedov with a decision win over Dan Hooker in a “Fight of the Year” contender; McGregor is the UFC’s biggest star and coming off a first round knockout over Donald Cerrone, and, though he is coming off a loss, Ferguson had previously been on a 12-fight winning streak with wins over some of the divisions biggest names.

Poirier and McGregor are already scheduled to face each other on January 23. With the rest of the fight card still relatively bare, the UFC could theoretically add Chandler vs Ferguson as the co-main event. A couple of other men with with title aspirations – recent title challenger Gaethje and owner of an eight-fight win streak, Charles Oliveira – could also face off in an alternate fight.

The UFC has been open to hosting title tournaments before. Demetrious Johnson was awarded the inaugural flyweight championship after winning a similar tournament.

Do you like Michael Chandler’s idea of a lightweight title tournament? Let us know!

Tony Ferguson Sends Message To Khabib Nurmagomedov Following UFC 254 Retirement

Ferguson NurmagomedovTony Ferguson hasn’t given up on a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov just yet. Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from the sport of mixed martial arts following his impressive second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner yesterday. It was a decision that shocked many in the combat sports world as the expectation was […]

Ferguson Nurmagomedov

Tony Ferguson hasn’t given up on a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov just yet.

Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from the sport of mixed martial arts following his impressive second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner yesterday.

It was a decision that shocked many in the combat sports world as the expectation was that “The Eagle” would retire with a 30-0 record rather than 29-0. To make matters worse, it dawned on many observers that Nurmagomedov’s retirement also ended any chance of a Ferguson fight once and for all.

Not according to “El Cucuy” though. Fans were eager to see how he would respond to Nurmagomedov calling time on his career and he finally did on Sunday.

“See you soon fathead.”

It appears Ferguson is still not giving up on a fight with Nurmagomedov.

The pair were slated to fight five times only for the contest to be called off on all five occasions. The most recent occasion was earlier this year at UFC 249 when the COVID-19 pandemic meant Nurmagomedov couldn’t travel outside Russia.

Instead, Ferguson would face Gaethje and lose which led to the title unification fight yesterday. If Nurmagomedov’s retirement sticks, it will certainly go down as the most cursed fight in combat sports history.

What do you think of Ferguson’s response?