UFC News: "You missed your chance." - Khabib Nurmagomedov to Tony Ferguson

Khabib had a strong message for Tony Ferguson!

What's the story?

For a long time, Tony Ferguson has been hoping to get a title fight for the UFC Lightweight Championship against Khabib Nurmagomedov. By far, one of the most qualified fighters for the fight, Ferguson has proved time and time again why he deserves the fight.

However, the UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov may have a message for Tony Ferguson, which does not spell the best news for the top contender.

In case you didn't know...

Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov have come close to clashing against each other on numerous occasions in the past, but the fights ended up never taking place for various reasons. The last time the two of them fought was at UFC 229, where Tony Ferguson established his credentials even further, by pulling off an amazing win over Anthony Pettis, while Khabib fended off Conor McGregor's bid for the title.

However, the ban Khabib has been handed may be what ends up costing Ferguson in the long run when it comes to the UFC Lightweight Title. An Interim Title fight was announced for the Lightweight Championship, with Featherweight Champion Max Holloway, taking on Dustin 'Diamond' Poirier at UFC 236.

The heart of the matter

Last week Tony Ferguson revealed that he had been offered a fight but it wasn't meeting his 'standards'. Due to his refusal, the UFC moved on and offered the fight to Dustin Poirier, who had recently made his feelings clear about not having been offered a fight for the Championship.

What's more, Khabib Nujrmagomedov saw this and told Tony Ferguson that he had lost his chance and that it was Ferguson's own fault. He said that while he was deserving, he would no longer be able to compete and would have to wait.

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I want to remind you guys, that before I become champion, I was close to the title fight 3 times and all 3 times I missed my opportunity. First was in July 2016 when I was offered to fight in Ramadan month and I turned it down, second was UFC 205 NYC when I was offered a title fight, bout agreement signed, but my title was given away, you know the story. Third time was UFC 209 where I was hospitalized and almost died. But after every single fail I were said: you missed your chance, earn your shot with one more victory. Tony you had your chance and you missed it, and that’s your fault only. You know that I’m disqualified and can’t fight, but it’s not fair to strip me off the title, I fought 3 times in 9 months. I won and defended my belt. As a fighter you deserve a title fight, you are great fighter and opponent, but now you have to fight or wait for my DQ to be over and fight(but UFC doesn’t want it). I don’t understand your offenses, if you fell down, you got to get up, not complain. #ufc #mma #ufclightweight

A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Feb 23, 2019 at 7:24pm PST

“Tony, you had your chance, and you missed it, and that’s your fault only. You know that I’m disqualified and can’t fight, but it’s not fair to strip me of the title. … As a fighter you deserve a title fight, you are (a) great fighter and opponent, but now you have to fight or wait for my (suspension) to be over and fight."

He also added after this that he thought UFC does not want a fight between Khabib and Ferguson after Khabib's suspension time was over.

What's next?

Dustin Poirier will face Max Holloway for the Interim UFC Lightweight Title in the headliner of UFC 236.

It appears that Ferguson will have to wait his turn yet again to get the fight that he worked so hard to earn.