SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 3 hrs 17 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Tony Ferguson slams Nurmagomedov, McGregor ahead of Justin Gaethje bout

:Headline: Tony Ferguson slams Nurmagomedov, McGregor ahead of Justin Gaethje bout: ID:398858: from db_amp
Tony Ferguson fights Justin Gaethje on Saturday night.

Tony Ferguson hit out at lightweight rivals Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor ahead of headlining UFC 249 against Justin Gaethje at Jacksonville, Florida, this weekend.

As the debate rages on about whether the UFC should end its coronavirus-enforced hiatus on Saturday night, Ferguson insisted his willingness to fight should see him regarded as the top dog at 155lb and not Nurmagomedov.

Ferguson was set to take on Nurmagomedov last month but a showdown was scrapped because of the pandemic, the fifth time an encounter between the pair has failed to materialise, with UFC fans dubbing the saga 'the cursed fight'.

And ahead of his bout against Gaethje for the interim lightweight title, Ferguson said at the UFC's virtual media day: "To me (Khabib) doesn't even exist.

"Khabib didn't want the fight, he ran away like a dog with his tail between his legs, it's the same thing with Conor. Where are they at? Obviously they're back home trying to quarantine and we're here crushing quarantine."

As Ferguson looks to extend his winning sequence to 13 fights, the 36-year-old had warmer words for Gaethje, who has 21 victories in his 23 mixed martial arts contests, 18 by knockout.

"Honestly I have nothing against the kid, he's awesome," Ferguson added. "They call him the Human Highlight for a reason."

Also on the bill, former two-time bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz steps back into the octagon for the first time in three and a half years against current 135lb titlist Henry Cejudo.

“Where are they at? Obviously they're back home trying to quarantine and we're here crushing quarantine”
- Tony Ferguson

Cruz has not fought since losing the belt to Cody Garbrandt in December 2016 but the 35-year-old American insists his time away from the sport has allowed him to fully heal from a number of injuries.

"My body's healthy," he said. "I was fighting with a shoulder injury for about three title fights. It was constantly aching, constantly sore and I was constantly having to ice.

"Now I don't have to do any of that, now it's stronger than ever, so are my knees, my hands are completely rebuilt.

"I feel great, I feel stronger than I've done for a long time. The time off has served me very well."

amp_article__398858 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-05-08 18:49:45:
html db last update - 2020-05-08 18:49:45 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Tony Ferguson

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .