UFC 249: Khabib Nurmagomedov Reflects on Street Fighting Days, Following Exchange With Tony Ferguson

Khabib Nurmagomedov says he was planning to be civil and respectful toward Tony Ferguson, during Friday’s UFC 249 press conference. But after the event, which featured the lightweight stars trading numerous, verbal shots, the 155 champ admitted Ferguson’s comments about street fighting didn’t sit well.

Nurmagomedov says he fought in the street “everyday”

Ferguson and Nurmagomedov are booked to fight at UFC 249, on April 18th. It marks the fifth time the two have been scheduled to fight, as four other bookings have been canceled due to injuries and medical issues.

Well, as soon as Friday’s presser started, it was clear that Ferguson isn’t a fan of Nurmagomedov. Case in point, “El Cucuy” said this (quote via MMA Junkie):

“Oh, wait. Hold on,” Ferguson said. “You like beating on high school wrestlers who are preparing for state the week (after)? And you like having homeless people do push-ups in New York and making fun of them. I owe you two to the stomach, and you owe me 20 push-ups, but I will do the push-ups with you when you lose.”

Nurmagomedov didn’t say much in return initially. But, when Ferguson brought up street fighting, it hit a nerve with the champ. Nurmagomedov proceeded to claim he would “eat” Ferguson in a street fight, and while talking to ESPN afterward, the vaunted grappler said this (quote via BJ Penn.com):

“Honestly, when I go to the press conference I think I want to be nice. You know I don’t want to go crazy. You know? But, when he talk about street fight, I go a little bit… A little bit crazy, yes.” Khabib Nurmagomedov explained. “Because this guy never fight in street. What are you talking about? Who? You know, I have a lot of fight in street. This guy never fight. Because in America, you cannot fight in street. But I grew up in Dagestan, everyday I fight in the street. You talk about street fight?”

“Because people don’t understand. Maybe people think I am like him from America. But I am not from America. You know? I am from Dagestan and we fight all the time here. Like in school, like in everywhere. Gym. Like I have a lot of fights in street and when he talk about street fight, I no understand. This guy never fight in street.”

At one point, Nurmagomedov also argued that Ferguson isn’t Mexican, since the fighter was born in the U.S. Those comments may not sit well with Ferguson’s fans and his Mexican supporters.

Nurmagomedov kicks Ferguson’s interim belt off the stage

When the fighters faced off for cameras, Ferguson laid down his interim belt and called on Khabib to do the same with his. That also riled up the champ, who proceeded to kick it off the stage. So, one thing seems clear, fight week for UFC 249 is going to be really, really interesting.