Just a few of Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov's best lines from UFC 223 conference call bicker-fest

If there is a title for most interruptions on a UFC conference call, we have two new champions in Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.

Ferguson (23-3 MMA, 13-1 UFC), the current UFC interim lightweight champ, bickered incessantly with challenger Nurmagomedov (25-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) over a one-hour media teleconference in support of their highly anticipated showdown at UFC 223, which takes place April 7 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The event airs live on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

The UFC lightweights talked over each other so much, even the conference call operator got in on the action, asking for order as questions were asked.

Now, who won the latest war of words? That depends on your style of trash talk. For sarcasm and deadpan delivery, you might favor Nurmagomedov. For sheer creativity and fervor, it was Ferguson, who somehow found a way to squeeze in a workout while ranting at his Dagestani foe.

Ferguson started the conference call by offering Nurmagomedov the first crack at a question about the hype over UFC 223. Then he promptly interrupted, and off to the races it was.

After 30 minutes, a lot of the best nuggets turned into white noise. But here are just a few of the most memorable quips during the call.

* * * * *

Nurmagomedov: I hope we’re going to fight. Finally, we’re going to fight, because this is the most important fight in the lightweight division right now.

Ferguson: You talking about the (expletive), kid. You had your chance to fight for the belt, and you missed it.

I’m giving you one chance to quit, to walk away and (expletive) retire.

Nurmagomedov: To be honest, I didn’t understand your English. You talk like stupid guy. Can I finish this, and then you can talk your stupid (expletive).

* * * * *

Ferguson: I’m actually working out as I’m talking. What are you doing, Khabib? Stuffing your face full of tiramisu? It’s not even Tuesday, dog.

* * * * *

Nurmagomedov: To be honest, I didn’t understand. I don’t make a different language. I know English, but I didn’t understand what you’re talking about. Your mind is, like, stupid.

Ferguson: Yeah, I’m crazy. I hit harder than you, and my conditioning is better than you.

Nurmagomedov: Who said this?

Ferguson: I said this.

* * * * *

Ferguson: You still have to prove you can make championship weight. You have half a pound more to lose. I hope to god you’re under-conditioned, because if you mess this up, you’re going to have the whole world hating on you, doggie.

Nurmagomedov: OK, are you finished?

Ferguson: Nope, I’m never finished. You’re going to be finished.

Nurmagomedov: OK, let’s talk. I’m gonna let you talk.

Ferguson: You’re going to taste my jab. I’m going to make you taste nickels and dimes, son.

* * * * *

Ferguson: I’m the only Mexican that you can’t be friends with, and I’m going to (expletive) you up.

Nurmagomedov: We’ll see. In like 10 days.

* * * * *

Nurmagomedov: Seven times, somebody give you a knockdown in your UFC career. Seven times you go down. I’m going to knock you out, you understand.

Ferguson: Hey (expletive), you still there?

* * * * *

Nurmagomedov: Why are you nervous? We just talk.

Ferguson: Ain’t nobody nervous, kid. You’re nervous.

Nurmagomedov: No, you’re nervous. You speak like stupid guy.

Ferguson: I can smell it through that phone, kid. That’s all I can smell. I can smell fear. You reek of it.

Nurmagomedov: Hey guys, if you have question, please ask, because this stupid guy is, like, crazy.

* * * * *

Ferguson: He’s a (expletive) cake eater. He’s a silver-spoon fed cake-eater. And I’m about to take that spoon from him and beat him over the head with that (expletive).

* * * * *

Nurmagomedov: I have one question: Why you didn’t show up in 2016?

Ferguson: Why? Because I was taking some hard kicks from a professional soccer player to the chops. That’s what I was doing, with no pads. What’s your excuse? Your teammates break you?

Nurmagomedov: You funny guy, Tony. You funny. You stupid funny. Nobody understands you.

* * * * *

Ferguson: Your manager keeps talking (expletive). Why’s he keep talking (expletive)?

Nurmagomedov: Why you didn’t show up in 2016? You eat tiramisu, too?

Ferguson: No, I have blood in my lungs?

Nurmagomedov: Hey, listen, tiramisu is much better than blood.

* * * * *

Nurmagomedov: You have some problem, because you want to talk (expletive), but you cannot talk (expletive), because it looks fake. Be real. Calm down and be real.

Ferguson: What, are you going to stop me? Try me.

Nurmagomedov: Be real, bro. Calm down and be real. Relax, we’re just talking on the phone.

Ferguson: Ain’t no phone. Ain’t no phone. Any time I get a chance, oh, you just wait. I’m going to break your spirit. I’m going to take your soul.

* * * * *

Nurmagomedov: Why are you scared of talking?

Ferguson: You a (expletive). You a straight up (expletive).

Nurmagomedov: No, let’s talk. Don’t cuss. Be relaxed.

Ferguson: You’re yellow like your hat.

* * * * *

Ferguson: Wait until you test my conditioning, dog. I’m going to take you into deep waters. I’m going to leave you out there with no (expletive) snorkel.

* * * * *

Nurmagomedov: I think everybody believes (the winner of this fight will be the best lightweight in the world).

Ferguson: That’s right, tell them. I’m the (expletive) champ.

Nurmagomedov: No, you’re interim champ. Be humble, boy. You’re the interim champ.

Ferguson: At the end of the day, you’ve gotta have everybody powder your ass in baby powder and (expletive) comb your hair.

* * * * *

Nurmagomedov: I can ask Reebok to give you contract, if you want.

Ferguson: Nah, go ahead. I don’t need that (expletive). I’ll wear it on game day.

Nurmagomedov: It’s a very good deal. Hey, they make very good shoes now. What size do you have? I can order for you. They can make you shoes, put ‘interim lightweight champ Tony Ferguson.’ You want this?

Ferguson: I can’t even hear you. I’m working out right now.

Nurmagomedov: You’re on the phone, what are you talking about? What are you doing? You cleaning some houses?

Ferguson: Yeah, like a Mexican beaner. That’s what I am. And everything you say to me about big ears and losing my hair, I don’t give two (expletive).

Nurmagomedov: Stupid guy.

Ferguson: You call yourself an eagle, but you ain’t got no wings.

* * * * *

But there’s more. Way, way more. Check out the full video above, and see if you can keep up with all the insults.

For more on UFC 223, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.