Why James Vick is picking Khabib Nurmagomedov to beat Tony Ferguson for UFC title

James Vick is a bonafide UFC lightweight contender, so he’s got a vested interest in the division’s biggest upcoming bouts.

That includes UFC 223’s pay-per-view headliner between interim champion Tony Ferguson (23-3 MMA, 13-1 UFC) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (25-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) for the undisputed title, though – in a confusing twist – Conor McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) hasn’t been stripped of the belt (not yet anyway).

Vick (13-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC), who’s fresh off a decision victory over Francisco Trinaldo (22-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) on Sunday at UFC Fight Night 126, is now No. 12 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings. So he’s clearly paying close to attention to that April 7 title fight between No. 2-ranked Ferguson and No. 3 Nurmagomedov.

“I think Khabib wins,” Vick recently told MMAjunkie Radio. “I think that Ferguson’s too content with being on his back. He’s going to get taken down, obviously. Khabib can take down pretty much anyone in the division.”

The issue, Vick said, is what will probably happen after that.

“Guys can get up, but Tony Ferguson will accept being on his back and throwing elbows and playing rubber guard,” he said. “And he’s not going to win like that. Unless he just likes land a big elbow and cuts Khabib from the bottom or something, I don’t see him being able to win a fight off his back. He gets too content with staying on his back instead of trying to get the hell up.”

With a four-fight winning streak and nine victories in 10 UFC fights, Vick is securely in title contention. And though he previously struggled to get the top-ranked opponents he wants, he made a concerted effort to call out fellow 155-pounders – in not-so-nice ways – in effort to change that.

While once clearly frustrated with the lack of progress on that front, Vick is now optimistic about his future opponent opportunities – and his own title chances.

“Basically, these guys don’t want to fight me,” the 30-year-old “Texecutioner” said. “They don’t want no part of me – these top-10 guys. But the UFC is going to end up forcing one of them to take the fight, and then they’re going to act like they chose to take the fight. They’re going to get forced to take the fight.

“I’m doing nothing but moving up. Blue skies in my future. I’m going to step up and get a bigger win and keep progressing and be a world champion by the end of the year.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 126, check out the UFC Events section of the site. And for more on UFC 223, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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