UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to defend his title against Tony Ferguson. The fight will take place at the main event of UFC 249.
The fight will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on April 18.
Fans have been longing to see this fight for a long time now. UFC has previously booked the fight four times and all four times have both fighters pulled out. Khabib Nurmagomedov pulled out of fights in 2015 and 2017 because of injuries, while Tony Ferguson also pulled out in 2016 and 2018 for the very same reason.
Khabib says Ferguson fight is biggest in history
The pairs appeared during the UFC 249 press conference in Las Vegas ahead of their showdown. Following the press conference, he gave an exclusive interview to Brett Okamoto of ESPN. In the interview, he revealed that the fight with Tony Ferguson is the biggest in history.
He revealed that he has received offers to fight in the middle east against Floyd Mayweather. But despite all of this he is adamant that he is signed with the UFC and will is focused on Ferguson.
“I am focused on Tony Ferguson right now,” Khabib said.
“When you become a big star, everybody wants to see you against everybody. Like fight with this, fight with this, fight with this…this is crazy
“But I have to be focussed on my opponent. I have a big challenge, even if he [Ferguson] is a stupid guy, he is a great fighter and he have very good skill. He can kick, he can punch, he can wrestle, he can grapple with you
“He is a great opponent and I respect his skill and that’s why I focus on him,” Khabib said.
The fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson isn’t as big as the fight that took place at UFC 229. However, Khabib was quick to point out that his fight against Ferguson isn’t about money and belts but it’s about finding out who the best lightweight in the division is.
“This is not about belts, this is not about money, this is not about PPV…nothing. This is about history because after 50 years people are gonna watch this fight and they gonna watch ‘These guys fight in their prime when they have 12-fight winning streak and after this fight UFC never make this type of fight‘.” Khabib concluded.
ALSO READ:
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson get heated during the UFC 249 press conference