There’s no doubt that a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson is something UFC fans have always dreamed of—but unfortunately, it never came to fruition. Now that both fighters are no longer active in the UFC, it seems that fans may never get to see this legendary matchup.
However, there’s still a glimmer of hope. Tony Ferguson has suggested the idea of bringing the rivalry to life through The Ultimate Fighter series, where he and Khabib would serve as opposing coaches. Ferguson says he is ready to join if the Dagestani legend steps up.
Talking to MMA Junkie, Ferguson said he’s only interested in coaching TUF if it’s against Khabib Nurmagomedov. He says their fight was meant to happen and recalls that Khabib’s late father called it the fight to make.
“Khabib is the only person I want to coach against. I’m the only person his dad said, before he passed away, that this is the fight to make. Now, regardless if it’s a fight, grappling, or anything, I know that he does keep his dad’s word, and I know I never talked about his religion, his wife, or anybody else that goes about it,” he said.
Ferguson respects Khabib’s loyalty to his father and says he has always respected Khabib’s family and faith. For Ferguson, it doesn’t matter if it’s MMA or grappling; he just wants the opportunity to compete with Khabib in any form, once and for all.
Tony Ferguson Vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov Rivalry
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Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson planned to fight five times, but something always caused the fight to get canceled. Many believed it would’ve been the toughest test of Khabib’s career, especially since prime Tony Ferguson was a different kind of beast altogether. Unfortunately, the matchup never materialized. Still, that didn’t stop the two from taking shots at each other over the years.
Even to this day, they continue to trade verbal jabs, keeping the rivalry alive in the eyes of fans. Indeed, The Ultimate Fighter could be the perfect platform to finally bring them face-to-face. While it may not be inside the Octagon, seeing Khabib and Ferguson lead rival teams, challenge each other mentally, and reignite their rivalry would be a massive treat for fans.
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