LAS VEGAS – Tony Ferguson isn’t particularly interested in attempting to book a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov for a fourth time after their matchup was scrapped on the eve of Saturday’s UFC 209 event.
The interim lightweight title matchup between Ferguson (22-3 MMA, 12-1 UFC) and Nurmagomedov (24-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) was removed from Saturday’s lineup when Nurmagomedov fell ill during his weight cut and was hospitalized on the morning of weigh-ins.
Although Ferguson was paid his fight purse (“show” money) of $250,000 for UFC 209, according to Nevada State Athletic Commission records, he was still emotionally crushed he couldn’t compete in what was the most significant and highest-profile fight of his career.
UFC President Dana White said he’s seen countless fighters deal with the emotions of last-minute fight cancellations, but “El Cucuy” was near the top of the list in terms of disappointment.
“The thing is that he was devastated,” White said after UFC 209. “He came over to our offices, and he was as bad as anybody I’ve ever seen when a fight pulls out.”
Ferguson, who’s No. 3 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings, did his best to put on a positive front following the news. However, he knows the fight with No. 2-ranked Nurmagomedov may simply not be meant to be. The matchup has been called off three times in 15 months, and after the latest scratch, it’s unclear what’s next for “The Eagle” or when he’ll be able to fight again.
Ferguson attended UFC 209 and was cageside for many of the fights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. With Nurmagomedov out of the picture for the time being, Ferguson said he wants a real title fight – one with UFC lightweight titleholder Conor McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC), who was expected to fight the Ferguson-Nurmagomedov winner (via Instagram):
@thenotoriousmma You're Next!!! #ElCucuy #TonyFergusonMMA #FutureChamp #Road2Gold @ufc @danawhite
A post shared by @TonyFergusonxt (@tonyfergusonxt) on
Whether Ferguson gets the fight remains to be seen. “The Notorious” is currently on hiatus from competition as he awaits the birth of his first child in May. Additionally, McGregor is pursuing a boxing fight with Floyd Mayweather, though it may be more wishful thinking than anything.
White said he hasn’t made any decisions regarding what comes next in the 155-pound title picture, but he said he plans to chat with Ferguson once the post-UFC 209 dust settles.
“I’m just giving him some time,” White said. “We’ll see.”
For complete coverage of UFC 209, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
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