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Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson is the greatest Lightweight bout that never was. Booked five times only to fall apart at each and every turn, the fight is widely considered cursed, and it’s certainly never going to happen now with Khabib retired and Ferguson struggling.
However, with Ferguson fighting Beneil Dariush tomorrow night at UFC 262, talks of the potential match up have again emerged — largely prompted by Ferguson’s unending talk of “The Eagle.” As a result, sections from Khabib’s 2019 autobiography KHABIBTIME — which, I think I speak for most us, I didn’t know existed — describing his relationship with “El Cucuy” have spread around Twitter and Reddit.
One exerpt reads, “Sometimes I felt certain gratitude towards the guy. I have already written that my desire to return after three of severe injuries and having almost decided to end my career was ignited because of my overwhelming impulse to meet El Cucuy and punch him on the head so that he would look at life differently.”
Aside from his desire to hand Ferguson a life-altering beating, Nurmagomedov described his rival as an “impudent lout.” Additionally, Nurmagomedov described his confusion at interacting with Ferguson and his incessant trash talk. Even while giving Ferguson props for his fighting skill, Nurmagomedov notes his “particular contempt for Ferguson as a person.”
While it is truly a shame we never got to see these two throw down in their prime, this is some fascinating insight into the mind of “The Eagle.”
Insomnia
Gregor Gillespie hits Conor McGregor where it hurts:
Nick Diaz and Tyson Fury is a very unlikely — yet somehow understandable — connection.
Is Islam Makhachev a future champion?
TOP 10 of LW division is a bunch of old ass slick fighters. Not a single one accepted the fight they were offered.
NO MATTER WHAT, I’M GONNA KEEP MOVING AND GET THAT BELT SOON, with or without these clowns. See you July 17 @ufc @espnmma https://t.co/j0Df3tNDaT— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 13, 2021
I don’t have anything to add, this is just an awesome photo.
A petty tattoo:
There is beef between the MMA Chechens and MMA Dagestani — notably with Khamzat Chiimaev offering to beat up Khabib — which sounds both exciting and terrifying.
“El Cucuy” is dangerous.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Credit to Kalista: it’s incredible bold to attempt a rolling back take and twister rather than just throw a few more punches and finish the fight from flattened out back mount. Ballsy!
There is much debate online whether or not this is a sucker punch. My recommendation: if someone marches up to you aggressively, be aware they may throw a punch!
These two were fighting WILD!
Random Land
The average person is extremely deluded about their ability to fight anything, let alone a wild animal … including me, who definitely thinks he could handle a kangaroo (and is surely wrong).
Midnight Music: Jordan randomly hit me with the following track’s title line today, so we had to blast it. Art!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.