Officially, Tony Ferguson is facing Justin Gaethje for an interim lightweight title this Saturday at UFC 249. But, according to the man who has already held that belt, the fight will crown the promotion’s real champion.

Ferguson lights up Khabib Nurmagomedov

As you probably know, recently a fight between Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov was canceled for the fifth time. In the past, medical issues or injuries have punted the match-up. But, this time around, restrictions that have been enacted on account of the coronavirus pandemic doomed the fight.

Well, now Ferguson is set to face Gaethje for an interim belt in the headliner of Saturday’s card, which will go down in Jacksonville, Florida. But, if you expect Ferguson to give Khabib a pass, in terms of why their latest booked was canceled, think again.

During a recent media call to promote UFC 249, Ferguson had this to say about the undefeated, lightweight champ (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“F*ck Khabib. I’m going to be real,” Ferguson said. “I want to say f*ck Khabib. I’m defending my belt for the third time. This is for the real belt. This is not for an interim title. This is for the real championship sh*t. It’s champ sh*t only, buddy.

Ferguson is referencing the fact that he won an interim title in 2017 by submitting Kevin Lee, and since then, he’s defeated Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone. Ferguson hasn’t lost, but the interim title was sidelined in 2018, when he was supposed to fight Khabib (but had to withdraw due to a knee injury).

“El Cucuy” calls on Nurmagmedov and Conor McGregor to retire

During the call, Nurmagomedov wasn’t the only fighter Ferguson had some words for. As, “El Cucuy” also had this to say, while talking about Khabib  and the former champ, McGregor.

“That dude’s a b*tch. I’m going to be real. Him and McNuggets (Conor McGregor). They both need to f*cking retire. The only two real men out there are going to be me and Justin Gaethje. American motherf*ckers.”

And, while talking about his short term plans, the outspoken fighter said this.

“I went on The Ultimate Fighter and I won that b*tch at 170 pounds and it was a tournament,” Ferguson said. “So it doesn’t matter who you put in front of me.

“I’m going to go out there and give my best. Win or lose, I’m going to walk away a f*cking winner.”

There you have it. Can Gaethje pull off the upset? And derail Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson again?