Despite recent claims to the contrary, it seems that any hope of a Makhachev vs Ferguson fight is long gone. Islam Makhachev is set to take on New Zealand’s Dan “The Hangman” Hooker this weekend at UFC 267, but Hooker was a replacement for Tony Ferguson.
Makhachev claims that Ferguson ducked him, following a call-out when Makhachev finished Thiago Moises in July. In doing so, Tony Ferguson has convinced Islam Makhachev that he’s “finished”.
Islam Makhachev: “Tony is Finished”
Makhachev explained his thinking at the UFC 267 media day. ““They gave me two names, Tony Ferguson or Dan Hooker. They say Tony Ferguson don’t answer, that’s why, Hooker is ready, I just say let’s go. It doesn’t matter.”
I think Tony is finished now. He’s lost three [in a row], that’s why I think it’s not a good idea to fight with him.”
Makhachev expects to finish Dan Hooker so he can move on and challenge for the title once held by his friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“I know I have to finish Dan Hooker because I finished my last [two] opponents. I try to finish all my opponents, but I have to show people, show the UFC how [high my level is] because very soon I have to fight for the title. That’s why I’m gonna try to finish him everywhere.”
Islam Makhachev is widely touted as the heir apparent to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s towering legacy. Nurmagomedov retired undefeated, vacating the lightweight belt following the death of his father.
Makhachev, a fellow Dagestani with a similar wrestling-based fighting style and shared habit of brutally finishing opponents, appears to many fight fans to be Khabib’s successor.
Khabib and Tony Ferguson had a long-standing rivalry lasting years. As both men fought their way up the UFC rankings, they were scheduled to fight, and cancelled, a total of five times.
The most recent of these cancellations took place at the start beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since Khabib’s retirement, of course, the odds of them ever fighting became even shorter.
Some hoped that Makhachev vs Ferguson might act as a consolation prize for the missed chance to see Khabib take on Tony. However, with Ferguson’s three-fight skid and Makhachev’s ever-increasing profile in the sport, it’s looking unlikely that the two will cross paths.
Give Islam Makhachev’s recent comments on the matter, and his priority of attaining a UFC title, Tony Ferguson isn’t likely to face a Dagestani in the Octagon any time soon, if ever.
Do you want to see Islam Makhachev vs Tony Ferguson? Let us know in the comments.
Remember to stay up to date with the latest news on TheOvertimer. Don’t forget to visit ScreenJuicer for great videos, news, and gameplay!
