If theres no clear path for him at lightweight, Ferguson might go up to welterweight or even middleweight for other prospective matchups.
” I got [welterweight] and Ive got the frame to increase to [middleweight],” Ferguson stated. “I like to head out there and complete. Everyone forgets that I utilized to knock everybody out at 170.”
When Nurmagomedov was no longer the challenger, Ferguson believes he did the UFC a solid by stepping up early in the pandemic even. He wants to be acknowledged for that– from a financial point of view, along with a regard one. But hes aware of the cold reality of the battle video game.
“Youre just as good as your last battle,” Ferguson stated.
Ferguson, who said he d be open to other ventures like Chael Sonnens Submission Underground or Wrestling Underground grappling occasions, was connected to an Oct. 24 competitor bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 254. Ferguson fought Gaethje instead.
Ferguson stated he will not wait for it to happen.” I dont wait on f– ing no one,” Ferguson said.,” Ferguson stated.
Tony Ferguson still wish to battle once again in 2020– even if its in grappling, fumbling or boxing.
The UFC lightweight star said in a video interview with ESPNs Ariel Helwani released Wednesday that he d like to complete before the end of the year, provided he is sufficiently compensated. Ferguson was up to Justin Gaethje in an interim title battle at UFC 249 on May 9, the promotions very first fight back after a nearly two-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The loss snapped a 12-fight winning streak and was Fergusons very first defeat considering that 2012. But Ferguson stated hes in a much better location than he was then and is “ready” for a return.
” I will be contending,” Ferguson said. “People will see me, one method or another, being active.”
Ferguson, who said he d be open to other endeavors like Chael Sonnens Submission Underground or Wrestling Underground grappling events, was tied to an Oct. 24 contender bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 254. That battle never came to fulfillment, nevertheless. Poirier stated last month that he couldnt pertain to terms with the UFC.
Ferguson informed ESPN that he never really pertained to a main arrangement with the UFC, either– for that battle or one with brand-new signee and previous Bellator champ Michael Chandler.
” [UFC president] Dana [White] wished to promote me,” Ferguson stated. “He wished to head out there and be like, Tony is gon na take this fight. Bro, were not friends. I never stated we were friends. Its simply organization, right? Im there when you need me. … Seriously, man, Im a professional, I do my thing. I enjoy you, fam. I enjoy the UFC and all that. But Im not just a piece of meat out there.”
UFC light-weight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov will be seeking to unify his title versus Gaethje at UFC 254 later this month. White told SI.com previously this week that hes attempting to get Ferguson another fight, which if he wins that a person, he might battle for the light-weight title versus the winner of Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje.
A bout in between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson has actually been scheduled 5 times and has broken down each time. The two were expected to battle for the indisputable title at UFC 249, however Nurmagomedov left his training camp in California to return to his home in Dagestan, Russia, throughout the pandemic after a miscommunication with the UFC about where the occasion might take place. Ferguson battled Gaethje rather.
” If Khabib does beat Gaethje, you get Tony Ferguson another battle, which were working on today,” White informed SI.com. “And ideally that fight with Khabib takes place due to the fact that I know individuals wish to see it.
” I do not believe Ive ever seen a fight fall apart as many times as those two. It nearly scares me to make the fight again.
For his part, Ferguson said he d like to battle Nurmagomedov because “the fans wish to see it.” Ferguson stated he will not wait for it to take place. Ferguson tweeted in assistance of Nurmagomedov when the champions daddy, Abdulmanap, died in July.
He doesnt want ill of his competitor, however now “its back to company,” Ferguson stated.
” I dont wait on f– ing nobody,” Ferguson said. Ill be there for him as a brother in f– ing arms across the mat, but thats all I can state. “
