'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Khabib Nurmagomedov continues to be the target of Tony Ferguson's ire, with 'El Cucuy' popping up in the comment section of an MMAFighting Instagram post. The post in question shared a screenshot of 'The Eagle's' rebuttal of Ferguson's prior outrage, which were aimed at Nurmagomedov's dismissal of him as a fighter.
While Nurmagomedov claimed in a tweet to have not even spoken about Ferguson, he curiously replied to a much older tweet Ferguson had made. Moreover, his dismissal of Ferguson as a fighter was recently made on episode #9 of the Inspire Me Podcast, which was shared on YouTube.
Exactly why the unbeaten lightweight claimed to have not spoken of Ferguson is unknown, but 'El Cucuy' isn't buying it, as his Instagram comment taunted Nurmagomedov over a botched weight cut at UFC 209, that led to his hospitalization and one of many cancellations for a bout with Ferguson.
"What A Puts, He Means Leave This Sport To Those Who Can Make Weight #TowelGate CSO FatheadGon'BeFat"
Unfortunately, there is no hope of either man truly settling their differences in a way that would satisfy them both, or at least Ferguson. The former interim lightweight champion is on an eight-fight losing streak, the most in UFC history, and is unlikely to receive another fight inside the octagon.
Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov retired undefeated at 29-0 after a UFC 254 submission win over Justin Gaethje to defend his then lightweight title. Despite several attempts from UFC CEO Dana White to coax him back, 'The Eagle' has refused to walk back on his retirement due to a promise made to his mother.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson have one of the most unfulfilled rivalries in UFC history
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson have been linked throughout their respective careers, as their peaks coincided and they both authored some of the longest win streaks in lightweight history. Unfortunately, despite five separate attempts, a matchup between the pair never came to fruition.
They were first booked to fight in 'The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale' but Nurmagomedov withdrew due to injury. The bout was later rescheduled for UFC on Fox 19, but this time Ferguson withdrew due to health-related issues with his lungs.
At UFC 209, another attempt was made, but Nurmagomedov was hospitalized after a disastrous weight cut. At UFC 223, Ferguson tore his knee after tripping on a cable. Finally, at UFC 254, Nurmagomedov was unable to leave Russia due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
