The UFC’s interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has responded to his long-time rival Khabib Nurmagomedov’s highly impressive win over the fearsome Edson Barboza at UFC 219 last night.
UFC 219, while not obviously as stunning as the two numbered events that preceded it, still was a strong card for the most part. Of course, in the main event it was the Brazilian featherweight champion Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino who successfully defended her belt against the spirited, but ultimately unsuccessful, Holly Holm.
And while Justino’s win was one that will no doubt truly establish her as a force on the pound-for-pound rankings, it was the performance of Khabib Nurmagomedov in the co-main event that had everybody talking after the action was done and dusted on the night.
Khabib faced the veteran Edson Barboza over three rounds, and although it’s a word used far too often in relation to this man, there is no better description for what he did to his opponent than ‘mauled him.’
It was a masterpiece of brutal ground-and-pound from the Dagestani fighter, and now, with many pointing to Tony Ferguson as his next potential dance-partner, the interim champ took to Twitter to make a typically El Cucuy-ish response.
Yo @joerogan Last Time I Checked I Was The Fuckin Champ… U Trading The 10P Gear For A Hat?
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) December 31, 2017
Don't Care If The @ufc Approves, I'll Cut @TheNotoriousMMA … Drop @TeamKhabib & Move Up To Welterweight Either B4 Or After I'm Done w/ This Division & Rid It Of The Trash At The Top. Pollution Has Accumilated Over The Years, Time To Clean House #DefendOrVacate???-TheeChamp https://t.co/l6XkH50ZQY
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) December 31, 2017
Ferguson and Nurmagomedov have been scheduled to fight on three separate occasions to date – with the latest one being the now infamous UFC 209 – but with the undisputed champ Conor McGregor’s future unclear, do not be surprised to see the UFC attempt to get Tony and Khabib into an octagon with each other one more time.
Logic would tell you that Ferguson should, of course, be next, but these days it does seems as though logical matchmaking isn’t as much of a necessity as it perhaps was.
McGregor could well return before the summer is through, though, but with so many options on the table, squaring the two greatest 155lbers without a title against each other could well single one man’s claim out as the strongest.
Cillian Cunningham, Pundit Arena
Read More About: 155lbs, edson barboza, el cucuy, khabib nurmagomedov, lightweight, mma, tony ferguson, UFC
