“You jealous now? I can order for you…” When Khabib Nurmagomedov trolled Tony Ferguson for not having Reebok sponsorship as interim lightweight champion
Throwback to the buildup of UFC 223, then UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov took a dig at Tony Ferguson. The duo has talked trash numerous times in their prime.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson(Image courtesy: IMAGO)
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson remains one of the most cursed matchups in the history of the UFC. The fight between the two lightweight elites was set for a total of five times. However, each one faced cancelation for some different reason. For UFC 223, Khabib was set to fight Tony, the interim champion. The fight would crown the undisputed lightweight champion. However, the MMA gods denied this entertaining matchup. Despite the cancellation, the trash talk between Khabib and Tony had amazing moments.
In the media conference call of UFC 223, Khabib questioned the legitimacy of the interim belt. This caused an argument between the two fighters. Tony mentioned how he didn’t care about Khabib’s sponsorships, in which one of the famous ones was Reebok. To which Khabib replied, ” Now you talk about Reebok. Because these guys don’t give you a contract so now you’re jealous. Reebok makes great shoes. I can order for you. What size do you have? Please let me know. They can make you shoes like interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson.“
During the buildup to the fight, Ferguson pulled out due to a knee injury and was replaced by then-featherweight champion Max Holloway. But later, even Holloway was not medically cleared for the fight. In the end, Khabib fought Al Iaquinta in the main event of UFC 223.
Many things were in play, leading to the cancellation bouts between Tony and Khabib. The pandemic at that time and both fighters suffering from injuries were some of the reasons why the fight didn’t take place.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains his emotions on Islam Makhachev’s fight against Alexander Volkanovski
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev‘s victory against Alexander Volkanovski came with great difficulty. Despite winning the fight by unanimous decision, Khabib Nurmagomedov explained the buildup to the bout as ’emotionally difficult.’
Khabib is one of the biggest influences in Islam’s camp. He has presented himself in the champion’s corner multiple times. His presence in Islam’s corner became a huge element in winning the title fight against Charles Oliviera. However, Khabib decided to step away from coaching around the training camo for the Volkanovski fight. In an interview, Khaib explained his fears surrounding the fight. He said that the time zones in Abu Dhabi could play a major role in this fight. Makhachev reportedly had to cut a large amount of weight to make it in time before the scaling. It meant 11 hours less for the champion to make his fight weight.
Such factors were some of the major reasons that left Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov anxious during the fight’s buildup. Khabib will not corner Makhachev for the rematch against Charles Oliveira at UFC 294.
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Nidhin Shibu
(2536 Articles Published)