Khabib Blasts Tony Ferguson – For Doing The Same Thing He Did

Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently without a fight, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to take time off from calling out other contenders in the stacked 155-pound arena.

And interestingly enough, in this instance, it’s for doing something that he did himself, and not all that long ago.

News arrived yesterday (Tues., June 28, 2016) that No. 3-ranked Tony Ferguson would take on undefeated newcomer Landon Vannata in the new co-main event of July 13’s UFC Fight Night 91 from South Dakota after his original opponent, No. 10-ranked Michael Chiesa, withdrew with a back injury.

But “The Eagle” apparently isn’t impressed with “El Cucuy‘s” opponent, quickly calling out Ferguson for taking on a debutant on Twitter:

Tony,now u going to fight with a debutant ? ???? @TonyFergusonXT #историяповторяется

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) June 28, 2016

While some initial skepticism of Ferguson’s level of opponent may be understandable, it’s also an odd choice of words given that Nurmagomedov also took on newcomer Darrell Horcher at April’s UFC on FOX 19 when Ferguson was forced out of their oft-scheduled (and oft-canceled) main event bout with blood in his lung. Ferguson hoped that Nurmagomedov would wait for him to soon return to the Octagon, but after two years out of the cage, “The Eagle” decided that he needed a paycheck (and perhaps a win) more.

Nurmagomedov also stated he would be unable to fight at any of the UFC’s many midsummer cards due to religious obligations. It’s no surprise to see a bit of shade thrown Ferguson’s way by the dominant Dagestani, but given that he essentially fought in exactly the same circumstances just over two months ago – also by no fault of his own – perhaps he should have given “El Cucuy” a bit of understanding.

After all, he wasn’t willing to give Ferguson the fight for a third time.