Over the weekend, former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson called out former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler for a fight at UFC 256 on Dec. 12. Now, Chandler has responded to Ferguson, and it’s not the answer “El Cucy” was hoping for.
Speaking to ESPN on Tuesday, Chandler said that he would not be accepting Ferguson’s challenge for a fight in December. He would, however, be more than happy to fight Ferguson at UFC 257 in January.
“There is a 0% chance I’ll fight Tony Ferguson in December,” Chandler said. “And I 100% know he knew that, because the UFC already told him that, and I’ve already said I’ll see him in January.
“Now that we have Conor (McGregor) fighting Dustin (Poirier) – it looks like that fight will get booked on Jan. 23 – they need a co-main event. Why wouldn’t it be Chandler vs. Ferguson?”
A fight between Ferguson and Chandler has been contemplated by the UFC for the last few months since Chandler signed with the organization. Originally, the UFC was looking to book the matchup as the co-main event to UFC 254 – the lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje. Ferguson, however, wasn’t keen on it, unhappy with what he felt was disrespectful treatment by the UFC. But now even though Ferguson is ready, Chandler is not, saying he needs more than a few weeks’ notice to fight.
“The UFC didn’t offer me the fight in December, because they know I’m on a timeline now,” Chandler said. “I just made weight in October. Everybody knows I’m an active fighter and I’m constantly training, but I needed just four weeks off. Essentially, Tony is campaigning for us to fight in 3.5 weeks.
“Tony, you had the opportunity to fight me in October and you said no. You didn’t even bring up fighting in December until it was way past the 11th hour. Let’s be realistic and sign up for Jan. 23. If you think you still have what it takes to fight for a title, fight me on Jan. 23. Why not take that opportunity, instead of muddying the water with this silly stuff?”
Ferguson does not appear to be happy with this compromise though. Responding on Twitter on Tuesday, Ferguson claimed to have been told Chandler has already accepted another fight and delivered an ultimatum to the former Bellator champion.
UFC has said you have already accepted Another Fight ese! So @MikeChandlerMMA stop crying to @espnmma about fighting me. You want to compete against me I’ll be in Vegas Dec 12. Accept or we move on. -Champ Shit Only™️ kid ⚔️ F’kn #AmateurHour # BeGon’Thot pic.twitter.com/Ua4p4moi8W
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) November 18, 2020
“UFC has said you have already accepted Another Fight ese! So stop crying to ESPN about fighting me. You want to compete against me I’ll be in Vegas Dec 12. Accept or we move on. -Champ Shit Only kid. F’kn #AmateurHour # BeGon’Thot”
If Ferguson sticks to his guns here, there are no shortage of other options for him, including a potential rematch with former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos who just made a triumphant return to the lightweight division, beating Paul Felder and vaulting himself to No. 6 in the divisional rankings.
TOP STORIES
Results. Final four contracts awarded for 2020 season at Tuesday Contender Series.
Wishful thinking. Dana White says Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier matchup won’t be for title: ‘Khabib’s gonna fight’.
Still not mad. ‘Lion’ Jon Jones continues Daniel Cormier troll: ‘Don’t talk sh*t and I won’t have to be so mean’.
Legacy. Jon Jones: Fighting Israel Adesanya, Jan Blachowicz ‘does nothing for my legacy’.
Failure. Commission apologizes for outrageously late stoppage in amateur MMA fight, suspends ‘intern’ referee.
VIDEO STEW
Between the Links.
Bellator 253 media day.
Embedded 2.
Fighter timeline of Shogun Rua.
Top featherweight finishes in Bellator history.
Go ahead and treat yourself to all of DJ’s fights in ONE.
Cerrone discussing his future retirement.
LISTEN UP
The Bash. Interviews with Jan Blachowicz, Leon Edwards, and Paul Hughes.
UFC Unfiltered. Interviews with Deiveson Figueiredo and Mike Perry.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
DC definitely not mad either.
I’m gonna leave this …… pic.twitter.com/GlihXL2sJV
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 18, 2020
Right here…… pic.twitter.com/zFMCzwzjz5
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 18, 2020
You’d think he was trying to cheat against ME!!!!! pic.twitter.com/L2wHbw6Y3B
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 18, 2020
Aljo.
Why is it SO HARD for refs to admit they FUCKED UP?!?! Egos man. #DWCS
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 18, 2020
Confident.
I know he’s right, except for me vs Volkanovski being a pick ’em. I’d sleep him in the first round. https://t.co/54eTltMNJD
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) November 17, 2020
Curious.
My third is not allowed , he is coming to help with preparation but will not be allowed to enter the apex https://t.co/q6ZnqF5aF8
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) November 17, 2020
Big day for Max.
She said Yes. pic.twitter.com/BDsqLsImoH
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) November 17, 2020
Certified lover and fighter boy https://t.co/sRwb0gIFlQ
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) November 17, 2020
Would you say it’s . . . number one bullshit?
It’s bullshit, I’m number one I’m a champion ☝ https://t.co/OFDYtcVRUB
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) November 17, 2020
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Max Holloway (21-6) vs. Calvin Kattar (22-4); UFC Fight Night, Jan. 16.
Chris Weidman (15-5) vs. Uriah Hall (16-9); UFC 258, Feb. 13.
Maycee Barber (8-1) vs. Alexa Grasso (12-3); UFC 258, Feb. 13.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m gonna go ahead and say Jon Jones has never watched Game of Thrones because for “a lion”, he sure concerns himself with the opinion of all the sheep, everywhere.
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
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