After dominating the lightweight division with four title defenses, Islam Makhachev is ready for his next goal. The Dagestani fighter announced his move to the welterweight division after Jack Della Maddalena won the title against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315. Will Makhachev be able to replicate the same success in his new division? Former UFC interim champion Tony Ferguson feels he definitely can and even termed him better than ‘The Eagle’. Ferguson and his relationship with the Dagestani camp go a long way back. There was a time when ‘El Cucuy’ and Khabib Nurmagomedov had the entire MMA world buzzing with excitement.
It was the fight everyone wanted to see, and it was booked not once, but five separate times. Yet, despite all the buildup and hype, the clash never came to fruition, remaining one of the sport’s greatest what-ifs. However, there was a lot of build-up to the fight, with both fighters engaging in social media brawls.
Now Tony Ferguson has once again come forward to share his opinion on another Dagestani fighter, Islam Makhachev. It seems he has high hopes for the 33-year-old fighter and his move to the welterweight division. The former UFC fighter feels Makhachev will find it easy in the new division, mainly because of his grappling skills.
Home of Fight took to their Instagram account to share a conversation the former champion had with Helen Yee. Ferguson said, “Makhachev defended 4 times at 155—that’s much more, and he made weight. I think that’s a smart move. When you go up, you’re gonna try to build a legacy—you’re gonna do certain things like that. I think Makhachev is a better grappler than Khabib, honestly. I think Islam’s not gonna do so bad at 170.”
The soon-to-be lightweight champion is chasing a goal that his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, couldn’t achieve. However, his opponent and the new welterweight champion, JDM, seems ready for the challenge.
Ferguson announced his retirement from the UFC, not particularly in his prime. The former interim champion was on an eight-fight losing streak before deciding to call it quits on his illustrious career. Still, Ferguson hasn’t given up on the idea of getting into a clash with ‘The Eagle’. He holds on to a powerful sentiment, inspired by a message from Khabib’s late father. The late father of the legendary fighter once expressed that there’s always time for competition. For Ferguson, that hope still lingers that he can finally get the fight he always wanted.
Tony Ferguson feels there’s only one way he can get a fight with ‘The Eagle’
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov once believed that no matchup in MMA was bigger than a clash between his son and Tony Ferguson. Especially when both men were at the peak of their powers. “I think it’s one of the most important events in this sport… Millions of fans are waiting for it,” he said back in 2019. Those words still echo for Ferguson.
Holding onto that legacy, ‘El Cucuy’ remains open to facing Khabib—and if an MMA fight is off the table, he’s more than willing to settle things in a grappling match. During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Ferguson pointed out he is still waiting for the clash.
He said, “I am the only person his dad said before he passed away that this is the fight to make. Now, regardless if it’s a fight, grappling, or anything, I know that he does keep his dad’s word.” Meanwhile, Khabib Nurmagomedov hung up his gloves quite some time ago, and a return to the Octagon seems more unlikely with each passing day.
The former champion has fully stepped away from competition, focusing instead on his many ventures outside the cage. He is more focused on coaching and business to promote the next generation of fighters. By looking at the current situation, it seems the fight is nothing but a distant dream.
But what could have happened if the pair ever clashed against each other? Who would have won the fight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Tony Ferguson Breaks Character for Islam Makhachev as Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Legacy Belittled appeared first on EssentiallySports.
