Tony Ferguson says Khabib Nurmagomedov verbally tapped and retired ‘29-1’

The fact that Khabib Nurmagomedov retired without defending his UFC lightweight title against Tony Ferguson is proof that Nurmagomedov dodged the fight, says longtime rival ‘El Cucuy’.

The matchup was cancelled five times but Ferguson insists Khabib verbally tapped out and retired with a ‘29-1’ record.

“Ali, I Accept Your Client Fathead @TeamKhabib VerbalTap 29-1 It Is. It’s MMA Not Jiujitsu Ya Slop Stick to Dodging Fights On Purpose & Bein’ A Sour Bish’ # BeGon’Thot -CSO-”, Ferguson posted in response to Khabib’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who dissed Tony’s latest training video.

Ferguson and Khabib rank amongst two of the biggest rivals who never got to settle their differences in the octagon. Their last matchup was scheduled to take place at UFC 249 in 2020 but was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nurmagomedov was forced out of the bout due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions and Ferguson went on to battle Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title instead, losing via fifth-round TKO.

Ferguson followed up with a lopsided decision loss to Charles Oliveira which prompted the UFC veteran to make some big changes in training and seek out legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach. He will return to the octagon to take on top-ten lightweight Beneil Dariush at UFC 262 on May 15.