Khabib Nurmagomedov looked as if it would put his years-long rivalry with Tony Ferguson to bed last night following his final UFC defeat.
The previous lightweight rivals had a bitter feud, infamous for having countless fights fall through resulting from a wide range of outlandish reasons. Weight cut hospitalisations, tripping over a wire during a media appearance and the coronavirus pandemic were all in charge for various dates between the pair falling apart throughout the years.
Ultimately, Justin Gaethje beating Ferguson for his interim belt in 2020 spelt the top of any likelihood fans had of seeing that fight. And ultimately it also was the start of the American’s decline, never scoring one other win as his losing streak last night hit an historic eight on the bounce.
Tony Ferguson loses eighth straight fight at UFC Abu Dhabi
Ahead of last night’s UFC Abu Dhabi event, Tony Ferguson was warned that he would likely be forced into retirement, even within the unlikely case that he were to win. He faced off with Michael Chiesa, who himself was riding a three-fight losing streak, and struggled from the opening bell.
Chiesa managed to get Ferguson down and throughout the first round got to his back and landed the submission. It marked his first win because the starting of 2021, and he immediately showed his respects to the legendary former interim champion and The Ultimate Fighter winner as he bowed following the ultimate bell.
The loss marked Ferguson’s eighth in a row, setting a brand new record for the UFC after the similarly legendary BJ Penn went on a seven-fight skid before retiring. He left only one glove within the octagon after the very fact, noting that while he doesn’t need to retire, he has little interest in fighting elsewhere than the game’s biggest promotion.
Khabib Nurmagomedov heaps praise on Tony Ferguson as he eyes retirement
In attendance for the fight was Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was in Abu Dhabi to corner his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov within the show’s co-main event. The legendary Russian shared an iconic and infamous feud with Ferguson, but was stuffed with praise for the American as he paid his respects following the seeming end of his profession.
“It is just not a surprise for me because he’s 40 years old,” Nurmagomedov told the UFC Europe Instagram. “I just need to wish him all the most effective. He is really top-of-the-line [to ever compete] within the UFC. His life is just starting because he’s just 40 years old and just finished his MMA profession. Now, it’s going to be a special life, a lot better life.”
Nurmagomedov also lamented the undeniable fact that the pair were never in a position to share the cage, adding” “In fact in prime, my prime and his prime, it was speculated to be a really interesting fight. But what I can do? It was, he had couple time injuries, I had a pair time injuries, it’s what it’s, you understand? Sometimes we now have plans but God has his plan and we cannot control this.”
Tony Ferguson refuses to hold up his gloves following one other loss
Unfortunately for fans who’re concerned for Tony Ferguson’s safety, the previous interim champion refused to completely commit to retirement from the game. He is just not all in favour of fighting elsewhere than the UFC, but it appears that evidently he won’t be offered any more fights, seemingly ending his profession.
But he refused to go away his gloves within the ring officially, telling fans that he was leaving only one, and keeping the opposite ‘in case’. “I don’t need to retire. I actually don’t. But I really like the UFC and I don’t need to go anywhere else,” he told Daniel Cormier in an emotional post-fight interview.
“So, I’m not going to place each gloves down. I’m going to place one and I’m going to maintain the opposite one just in case.” Nevertheless, in a video caught by the UFC’s social team seconds later, he was way more defiant, saying “I ain’t done yet, nah it ain’t time yet, man. I got quite a lot of s*** to work on.”
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