Khabib Nurmagomedov sends uplifting message to Tony Ferguson after UFC 249

Khabib Nurmagomedov has seemingly squashed his rivalry with Tony Ferguson in the aftermath of UFC 249.

After a fight between lightweight champ Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) and Ferguson (25-4 MMA, 15-2 UFC) fell apart for the fifth time on the original April 18 date, there was doubt the world would ever see the pair step in the octagon together.

Those hopes took an even greater hit on Saturday courtesy of Justin Gaethje. “The Highlight” replaced Nurmagomedov and met Ferguson for the interim 155-pound belt on the postponed version of UFC 249. Ferguson was stopped by fifth-round TKO, snapping his 12-fight winning streak and giving the torch to Gaethje as the next man to fight the unbeaten champion.

Nurmagomedov appears to be fully aware the matchup is off the table for the time being, but he offered some positive thoughts for Ferguson on social media.

“Whatever happened is in the past,” Nurmagomedov wrote on Twitter. “Heads up Tony, I hope everything is good with you and your family. When your son grow up, he’ll be proud with you.”

Ferguson’s next move is unknown. He offered congratulations to Gaethje after the match, where he suffered an orbital fracture that could keep him on the sidelines for a bit.

“El Cucuy” is still very much a top player at 155 pounds, but he’ll have to watch Nurmagomedov and Gaethje scrap it out from the sidelines.