Tony Ferguson answers questions from the media at a press conference in 2018.
Possible Matchups For Tony Ferguson At UFC 249
Possible Matchups For Tony Ferguson have been on the collective mind of MMA fans today. With news breaking about Khabib possibly being unable to compete at UFC 249, the MMA world is buzzing. It looks like COVID-19 travel restrictions could relegate the lightweight champion to his home country of Russia. Tony Ferguson is based in the United States and Nurmagomedov described on Instagram live the hectic timeline for trying to preserve this fight.
Possible Matchups For Tony Ferguson
Outlined below are my best options for Tony Ferguson matchups. In lieu of Khabib vs Tony getting canceled an unprecedented fifth time.
Justin Gaethje
There are actually already reports circulating about this Gaethje vs Ferguson bout coming to fruition. This fight on-paper could possibly be the most exciting matchmaking permutation you can make. Not just at lightweight but in terms of possible matchups you can make in MMA as a whole. Ariel Helwani reported on this fight being offered but did indicate things have yet to be signed off on and again, no location has been set.
This is a fight for the hardcore fans on multiple levels. These guys are fan favorites on a base level but people have also rallied behind these guys recently. Often times they have been pushed back in the contendership hierarchy in favor of big box office considerations (ie/ McGregor being in the title picture).
Jorge Masvidal
Masvidal’s Twitter account indicated that he would be free to step up for Khabib Nurmagomedov. The BMF Champion takes on UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman this summer (depending on the COVID-19 live event situation by then). As much as Masvidal has resurrected his career prospects at 170 lbs, he is very much not unfamiliar with 155 lbs.
He has made that weight and made some waves at lightweight over the years. Jorge Masvidal has relatively recently indicated that he would go back down to 155 lbs if the right fight was on the table. If this bout with Ferguson gets fashioned into an interim title fight, I could see this very much piquing the interest of Gamebred.
Conor McGregor
This would assuredly lockdown that Khabib rematch that McGregor obviously wants. I don’t think even the most ardent McGregor hater could deny that halting Ferguson’s streak would be grounds for another crack at the lightweight title for the Irishman. There were several instances where McGregor indicated he thought this fight would again not happen. The former lightweight champ said he would be down to step up if either man fell out and this seems to represent that very opportunity. Time will tell if the UFC’s biggest draw gets his wish.
Dustin Poirier
Poirier was the interim lightweight champion not long ago. This fight would very likely have some interim hardware on the line. This would be the most idealistic bounce back scenario for Poirier. After losing in a title bid against Khabib in his last outing. The Diamond has indicated he would be down to scrap and threw his hat in the proverbial ring via social media.
100% yes https://t.co/hma6MU8ZcV
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) March 30, 2020
A win over Ferguson would put Poirier right back into the running for a rematch with Khabib. This hinges on if they decide to scrap the upcoming Poirier vs Hooker fight.
Dan Hooker
This is the least likely of the options I would think but fun to speculate on nonetheless. Hooker’s body of work since moving from featherweight to lightweight has been quite impressive. He’s riding a three-fight win streak. Notable wins over Gilbert Burns, Al Iaquinta, and Paul Fender in the last couple of years. Also, a Ferguson vs Hooker matchup has all the makings for a barnburner bout. This hinges on if they decide to scrap the upcoming Poirier vs Hooker fight.
