Yesterday afternoon, top lightweight contenders Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov agreed to a fight this November 4, at UFC 217, inside New York City’s hallowed Madison Square Garden.
MSG Sounds Nice To Me. Get Ready For An Ass Whoopin’ @TeamKhabib#TonyFergusonMMA#SnapDownCity
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) August 5, 2017
Let’s go @ufc
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) August 8, 2017
While this was far from confirmation of an official fight, it was at least a step in that direction. Unfortunately, reasons for optimism about this long-awaited fight quickly deflated, as Nurmagomedov claimed to be waiting for Ferguson to accept the fight, and Ferguson claimed Nurmagomedov’s manager had turned it down.
Hey Fathead @TeamKhabib It’s #TiramisuTuesday Make Sure To Eat Three 4 Me. I Hope USADA Doesn’t Test For Tiramisu,Tell Em Its Therapudic Use pic.twitter.com/IDpwkVBqco
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) August 9, 2017
I’m waiting for you in New York
just take this fight, everybody waiting your decisionadvertisement – continue reading below— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) August 9, 2017
Your MGR @aliabdelaziz00 Informed @ufc U Are Not Well Enough To Fight Me At MSG, Turned Down The Fight On Your Behalf. Don’t Fool Your Fans https://t.co/Z6yKrgJTTf
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) August 9, 2017
This then prompted a response from Nurmagomedov, who assured it didn’t matter what his manager had said, and that he was down to fight at MSG.
You don’t need my manager, I’m the one who fights with you. Take the fight or tell fans that you looking for easy way.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) August 9, 2017
Nurmagomedov’s manager Al Abdelaziz then joined the fracas, telling Ferguson that he is “full of shit” and that they were waiting for him to sign the contract.
You’re full of shit we agreed to fight you at MSG sign contract we will be there to beat your ass
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) August 9, 2017
Do you think Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson will ever actually fight, or are we doomed to watch to them bicker on Twitter for all eternity?
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 8/9/2017.