Khabib Nurmagomedov refuses to make comments on Tony Ferguson’s recent setback.
The American fighter is regarded as the biggest threat to Nurmagomedov’s reign at the lightweight division. Booked for a fifth time, the lightweight rivals were scheduled to meet last month at the original UFC 249 fight card.
With Khabib stranded in Russia, the UFC needed to look for replacement to save the pay-per-view event, which was eventually moved to May 9. Gaethje entered the scene as he signed the dotted line and bravely accepted the challenge to face the boogeyman of the 155-pound class.
Of course, with a 12-fight winning streak in his resume – the longest in the lightweight history – and a six-month preparation, Ferguson entered the fight as the heavy favourite and some MMA fans even expected it to be a cake walk for the 31-year old.
But Gaethje had other plans.
"I would have much rather got finished, instead of having somebody step in."@TonyFerguson wanted to fight until the very end at #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/WsiUfmzL9a
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 10, 2020
Wise Words
‘The Highlight’ shocked the MMA world when he totally dominated Ferguson in a five round war en route to a rousing technical knockout victory.
The loss ended Ferguson’s 12-fight winning streak and worse, it could close the door for the much-awaited showdown with ‘The Eagle.’
Taking to Twitter, Nurmagomedov summed up his reaction to the UFC 249 main event bout in two words before sharing some wise words about the nature of the sport.
“No comment,” he wrote.
In a follow-up tweet, he said: “In this sport, and especially in this weight there will always be hungry lions that will breathe in your back, if you relax, then you will end. Some leave and others come, there is nothing to be surprised. But I won’t fall before the shot. We will still fight.”
No comment.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 10, 2020
В этом спорте и особенно в этом весе всегда будут голодные львы, которые будут тебе дышат в спину, если ты расслабишься то тебе конец. Одни уходят и другие приходят, тут нечему удивляться.
Но я раньше выстрела не упаду. Мы ещё повоюем. pic.twitter.com/kxLWX8E8Ah— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 10, 2020
Tough Fighter
Ferguson has shared his thoughts about the loss, telling Joe Rogan in the post-fight interview he wasn’t prepared for Gaethje’s stand-up game.
“It’s been a long f***ing camp. I’ve been preparing since November. The 18th one didn’t fall through. Justin was the only one who wanted to sign on the dotted line. Just a long camp. The weight cut had nothing to do with it. Justin’s a tough son of a b****,” he said.
“I prepared for Khabib, not too much of a striker. S*** happens, man. What can you do? I would’ve preferred getting finished than someone stepping in.”
https://twitter.com/bjpenndotcom/status/1259359316412297216
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Belt News and Khabib Nurmagomedov)