Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t want to get too personal with Tony Ferguson in the build-up to their upcoming lightweight title showdown.
The Russian champion, who sports an unblemished professional MMA record, will put his lightweight strap on the line at the UFC 249 main event next month opposite the number one contender in what many dubbed as the ‘most anticipated MMA fight in UFC history.’
The matchup has been previously booked for four times but it never materialized because each fighter had to pullout due to injuries and health issues.
The American challenger is expected to give Nurmagomedov the toughest test of his career as he is being considered as the most dangerous opponent for Khabib to date.
Just like the defending champion, ‘El Cucuy’ is also on a 12-fight winning streak, with wins over the likes of Donald Cerrone, Anthony Pettis, Edson Barboza, and Rafael Dos Anjos.
Nothing Personal
The buildup to the fight has kicked off last week, when the lightweight pair went face-to-face at a press conference in Las Vegas.
The rivals exchanged tirades, with Ferguson saying he is a contract killer and he is going to slap the defending champion while Khabib called his challenger a ‘stupid guy.’
The American also told the champ: “You’re f****** fat! You’re about the same size as [Daniel] Cormier right now.”
“Why people don’t like him? Because he’s a stupid guy,” Khabib responded.
“Nobody understands him. He’s stupid. That’s why nobody likes him. But he’s a very good fighter and I respect his skill. It’s the biggest fight of the year.”
Ferguson, though, didn’t like it when someone asked about his mental health struggles after undergoing a psychiatric evaluation last year due to family problems.
Personal Stuffs
During the Dominance MMA media day this past weekend, it looks like Nurmagomedov agrees with Ferguson that his mental health issues should not be a subject matter.
Instead of taking a jab at Ferguson’s mental health struggles, the lightweight champion said he is willing to extend a hand if the American needs help.
“Honestly, there’s nothing personal here,” Khabib cleared (via MMA Fighting).
“I don’t want to talk about his problem, like family stuff, mental stuff.”
“This is his problem. Leave him alone. I don’t want to talk about him, about his problems.”
“Everybody who sit here, everybody has problems,” he added.
“Nobody’s safe. If he needs help, we have to help him but we’re going to fight next month. I don’t to think about him, he is my opponent.”
“Talk about his mental problem…I don’t think it’s good stuff.”
(Featured Image Source: YouTube/ ESPN MMA)