Islam Makhachev is one of the most exciting prospects in the UFC lightweight division. Following in his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov’s footsteps, Makhachev plans on dominating the division. Makhachev is set to headline the main card this Saturday night against Thiago Moises. Should the Dagestani take the win, he anticipates taking a highly-ranked opponent next, and Tony Ferguson’s name is at the top of his list.
Islam Makhachev wants to retire Tony Ferguson. He told ESPN: ““I just want to help [Tony] retire.
Khabib’s protege wants to “retire” Tony Ferguson
He lost his last three fights, he has to retire because all these guys from the top 10, all his three opponents, beat him very bad. I think he’s old now. He has to retire, but I can help him.”
This may well be the fight to make for Tony. Makhachev is heir apparent to Khabib’s lightweight throne, a fellow Dagestani training under Khabib’s tutelage with a similar wrestling-oriented fighting style.
Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov were set to face off five times over the years, but it never came to fruition. Many fight fans believed the matchup was cursed: in the last scheduled bout, the COVID-19 pandemic intervened.
With Khabib retired, it’s unlikely that we’ll ever see Khabib v Tony take place. Islam v Tony may just be the next best thing. Tony and Khabib’s rivalry lasted years and never saw any resolution. We might finally see this resolution through Khabib’s protege, like Luke Skywalker taking on Darth Vader on Obi-Wan Kenobi’s behalf.
Tony Ferguson, as Makhachev has identified, is on a definite downward swing. Ferguson has lost much of the spark that made him such an intriguing fighter ever since his brutal mauling at Justin Gaethje’s hands. Since Gaethje, he lost consecutive one-sided decisions to Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira. Islam, on the other hand, is a rising star on a seven-fight win streak.
A win over Tony Ferguson would represent the end of one era and the beginning of another, and set Makhachev on a path to the lightweight title his mentor once held. For Tony, losing to Islam would likely signal the end of his storied career and, as Makhachev said, push the star into retirement.
Do you see this as a good matchup? Should Islam v Tony take place so all the fans who wanted Tony v Khabib can finally set the hypothetical to rest? Does Makhachev have the makings of a lightweight champion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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