When #1 ranked lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov pulled out last second against #2 Tony Ferguson, it left them both in a difficult spot. It’s very unclear who Tony Ferguson’s next fight will be against – let’s go over the options.
Khabib Fallout
Tony received lots of media attention after Khabib pulled out of their fight. He was vocal with what comes next: he wanted to fight ASAP, and he wanted a title shot.
The obvious decision would have been to re-book Khabib and Ferguson for yet another time. Unfortunately, that did not happen because of Khabib’s health. While Khabib tried to make weight, his body shut down on him resulting in severe kidney pain. He needed some time to recover which means an immediate re-booking of Khabib vs Ferguson was off the table.
Another wrinkle was also thrown into the mix – Ramadan.
Khabib proudly celebrates this Muslim tradition, but it means not being able to fight as it includes fasting and a commitment to prayer – leaving little time to train and prepare for a title fight. That being said, there is speculation about whether Khabib would be willing to skip Ramadan in order to fight, but that doesn’t look likely. With Ramadan approaching, it seems Khabib will be out of action until August or September (UFC 215, 216).
Tony wants to fight sooner rather than later, and waiting all the way until August or September to fight someone who we’re not even sure can show up doesn’t sound like the smartest move. My bet is that Tony does not fight Khabib next (even though this is the fight that needs to happen!).
Title Shot?
Usually when two guys are to fight for the next title shot and someone pulls last minute, the healthy fighter is promoted to number one contender and given the title shot. An example of this is Johny Hendricks vs Tyron Woodley – Hendricks couldn’t make weight and was hospitalized, cancelling the bout, and Woodley was given the next title shot.
However, lightweight champion Conor McGregor is more than likely not Tony Ferguson’s next fight. We all know McGregor is in the works putting together a Floyd Mayweather boxing match. Even though McGregor vs Ferguson is a compelling fight – the Irishman has bigger fish to fry.
Money Fight?
It seems that Ferguson is aware of everything I mentioned above which is why he has begun calling out #8 Nate Diaz. While it doesn’t make sense rankings-wise, we all know Diaz is the biggest money fight in the division other than McGregor. Nevertheless, Ferguson vs Diaz is one hell of a match up.
That being said, I have my doubts about Diaz accepting this fight. After all, he seems pretty keen on holding out for Conor McGregor’s return, and getting that trilogy fight.
The other wrinkle to this is money.
Diaz made some serious stacks in both McGregor fights; a fight against the lesser-known Tony Ferguson would undoubtedly net less cash. Nate Diaz strikes me as someone who doesn’t do pay cuts.
As much as I want to see Ferguson stay busy and fight a compelling style match up like Diaz, I don’t see him being interested in Tony Ferguson’s next fight.
Contender Fight?
So with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, and Nate Diaz all off the table, you have to wonder who is next!
When you look at the rankings, you come across #3 Eddie Alvarez, but he already has a fight against #9 Dustin Poirier at UFC 211.
There’s #4 Rafael dos Anjos, but Ferguson just recently beat him and will be making his welterweight debut.
#5 Edson Barboza is on a 3-fight win streak, but Ferguson finished him in December of 2015. It may seem like a step backwards for Tony, but when no other options are on the table, I think Barboza is the best option for Tony Ferguson’s next fight.
The Options
Tony Ferguson’s next fight could be:
- vs Khabib Nurmagomedov in August/September
- Would require Ferguson to sit out through Ramadan
- vs Nate Diaz in the summer (UFC 214 in Anaheim?)
- Would require Diaz to accept a potential pay cut
- vs Edson Barboza in the summer (UFC 213 in Vegas?)
- Would require Ferguson to fight someone he already beat
