Tony Ferguson isn’t buying Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement announcement.
UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) hung up his gloves after he submitted Justin Gaethje in the second round at UFC 254 this past Saturday in Abu Dhabi. But Ferguson doesn’t think his decision will last.
Ferguson (25-4 MMA, 15-2 UFC) and Nurmagomedov were scheduled to fight on five different occasions, but one of the most highly anticipated matchups in MMA history never came to fruition.
While Nurmagomedov’s decision to retire came as a surprise to most, Ferguson said he saw it coming. But he also bets that “The Eagle” gets the itch to compete again.
“I completely called it out,” Ferguson told Submission Radio. “I called it out on my post. You guys can see that. I called he was going to retire. I mean, (manager) Ali Abdelaziz did his job. He kept his client safe – kept him away from very dangerous opponents. I mean, that’s what an agent and a manger is supposed to do – although, he is a piece of (expletive). But I have to say, he did the smart thing. I mean, he avoided me at all (expletive) costs. I mean, the Russians, they avoided me at all (expletive) costs. That’s (expletive) awesome.
“So, you know what? I did my job. They ran. (Expletive) 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. Back, because you’re going to miss it like Conor (McGregor). So you know what? I’m calling it out again: He’s going to be back, so I’ll be (expletive) ready.”
Prior to his retirement announcement, Nurmagomedov had one request and that was to be named the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. The UFC granted his wish when he took former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ spot in the official rankings, but Ferguson strongly disagreed.
“Oh, (expletive) him, dude,” Ferguson said. “Half of his fights were two-round fights over in Europe. And the one thing is, he never fought me. How could you be a pound-for-pound (expletive)? 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 going to be the greatest of all time for five minutes. What the (expletive)? It’s going to be consistently changing.”