Fergie: ‘Scared’ Khabib Didn’t Retire, He Ran Away

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov unified the 155-pound titles by submitting Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 pay-per-view (PPV) main event last weekend on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.

Following his second-round victory, “The Eagle” announced his retirement from mixed martial arts (MMA). Not because he promised his mother that he would no longer compete, but rather to avoid fighting longtime rival Tony Ferguson.

That’s according to “El Cucuy.”

“I’m ready for a belt,” Ferguson told Submission Radio. “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 fucking fighting that bitch I made him retire. So, like I said, props to you, ride off into the sunset with your fucking hat. When you come back, I’ll put my fucking baseball hat against your hat and we’ll have a nice cultured exchange.”

Ferguson was scheduled to compete against Nurmagomedov multiple times throughout his career but for one reason or another, the fight consistently fell apart. Their most recent pairing at UFC 249 was interrupted by coronavirus.

Then Ferguson went on to lose his interim title fight to Gaethje.

“Ali Abdelaziz did his job,” Ferguson continued. “He kept his client safe, kept him away from very dangerous opponents. I mean, the Russians, they avoided me at all fucking costs. They ran. Fucking Dagestani ran with his tail between his legs. But you know what, he’s off in the sunset. I have to give him props. Go handle your family business, and I’ll see you when you get here because you’re gonna miss it like Conor. So, you know what, I’m calling it out again, he’s going to be back. So, I’ll be fucking ready.”

Prior to his departure, Nurmagomedov (29-0) landed at No. 1 on the promotion’s pound-for-pound chart, much to the chagrin of former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. But it looks as though “Bones” isn’t the only one upset with the distinction.

“Half of his fights were two-round fights over in Europe,” Ferguson said. “And the one thing is, he never fought me. How could you be a pound-for-pound pussy? Yeah, I mean, there you go. Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, all these guys are much better than Khabib. They’ve had the titles. Matt Hughes. Look at all these other guys. What, did you forget? It’s always gonna be the greatest of all time for five minutes. What the fuck? It’s going to be consistently changing.”

Even for Ferguson, who dropped from No. 10 to No. 13 after losing to Gaethje.