For Khabib Nurmagomedov, rival Tony Ferguson is “finished” after the beating he took from Justin Gaethje. Ferguson lost to Gaethje via fifth-round TKO at UFC 249 in May, snapping a 12-fight win streak.
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- Watching closely as the fight happened at the time, Nurmagomedov saw Ferguson change his demeanor late in the fifth round. To him, it was a sign of defeat after a prolonged beating over a 20-minute period.
- Ferguson is still at the top of the heap at the UFC’s lightweight division, ranking third overall. But for Nurmagomedov, “El Cucuy” is “never gonna be the same” and will likely lose again.
- The 36-year-old Ferguson was supposed to fight fellow ex-interim champion, Dustin Poirier, at UFC 254 for his comeback bout. However, the pairing was scrapped when the latter failed to come to terms with the UFC.
- Nurmagomedov is currently scheduled to defend his title against Gaethje at UFC 254 on Oct. 24.
