The mixed martial arts world is full of “what ifs” and dream matchups. Few, however, have captured the imagination of fans quite like Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Tony Ferguson. For years, these two lightweight titans were destined to collide in the octagon. The UFC tried to make this fight happen not once, not twice, but a whopping five times. Each attempt fell through for various reasons, from injuries to a global pandemic.
Nurmagomedov recently shed light on this long-awaited showdown. In an appearance on the Inspire Me Podcast, he revealed the one way Ferguson might have beaten him.
“The only chance he [Ferguson] had to stop me was with a lucky punch, like with everybody. Like with Conor, (Dustin) Poirier, with Justin Gaethje. Everybody talks about like, ‘They can stop him if Khabib is gonna get lucky punch’ but other stuff, how were they gonna stop me?” said Nurmagomedov.
Khabib’s wrestling prowess was legendary during his career. He mauled opponents with bear-like ferocity. His ground game was so dominant that many wondered if anyone could stop him. But Ferguson seemed like the perfect foil with his unorthodox style and razor-sharp elbows.
But now, bygones are bygones. And the Nurmagomedov-Ferguson saga is in the past. No one would know if Ferguson would have been the key to unlocking Nurmagomedov’s puzzling game. Where 29 had tried and 29 had failed, maybe Ferguson would have been the 30th to change the narrative.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Has Nothing But Praise For Tony Ferguson
Rivalries can be fierce and unforgiving, but sometimes, even the most heated feuds can give way to mutual respect. Such is the case with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. These two lightweight titans were destined to clash in the octagon, but each attempt fell through.
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Fast forward to 2024, and the landscape has changed dramatically. Khabib retired undefeated in 2020, while Ferguson’s career took a downward spiral. ‘El Cucuy’ recently suffered his eighth consecutive loss in the UFC. ‘The Eagle’ had nothing but praise for his former rival.
“I just want to wish him all the best. He is truly one of the best in the UFC. His life is just beginning because he’s just 40 years old and just finished his MMA career. Now, it’s going to be a different life, much better life,” said Nurmgomedov via UFC Europe.
Meanwhile, Ferguson seems reluctant to hang up his gloves. As for Khabib Nurmagomedov, he’s transitioned into coaching. He was in Abu Dhabi, cornering his cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov. It seems ‘The Eagle’ is content to soar in a different capacity these days.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Reveals How He Could Have Lost To Tony Ferguson
