UFC lightweight title contender Khabib Nurmagomedov has established a reputation as one of the elite grapplers in MMA today. It is something that his opponent Tony Ferguson has taken note of, and has even welcomed the idea of a ground fight when they face each other at UFC 223.
According to Ferguson’s jiu-jitsu mentor Eddie Bravo, they would actually thank Khabib if he brings the fight to the mat.
“We’re going to turn around and attack him (on the ground). We’re going to thank him for taking Tony down, and we’re going to throw some fire at him. It’s going to be different. No one has done that.
“I’m sure his defense is going to be tight. I’m sure he’s going to be studying rubber guard and all that, but we’re going to come there with fire. We’re going to come right at him.”
From his end, Khabib is not at all worried about what Ferguson can bring to the table in terms of grappling and feels confident that he is still the better fighter.
“I don’t think he has better jiu-jitsu than me, better grappling,” Nurmagomedov told RT Sport (transcript via MMA Fighting). “I think he’s unpredictable a little bit. He has very good knee, very good elbow. But I don’t think he ever fight with somebody like me, who have like pressure, top control, good everywhere. Strong.”
“When we go to the cage, when cage close, we’re gonna show this. Me and Tony Ferguson is different level.”
UFC 223 takes place on April 7th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.