Tony Ferguson gives injury update, eyes title shot upon return
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson believes he’ll be back from his knee injury sooner than many think. Speaking with Brett Okamoto of ESPN, Ferguson gave an injury update and said he believes he will return to the Octagon by end of the year.
Ferguson, who won the interim lightweight title at UFC 216, was scheduled to face Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223 in April for the undisputed lightweight title, but withdrew after suffering a knee injury on April 1. The cancellation was the fourth time in which Ferguson and Khabib were scheduled to fight and fell through. Although they have been unsuccessful four previous times, Ferguson has his eyes set on Nurmagomedov.
In his interview with ESPN, Ferguson said he recovers quickly and that he’s thinking a fight against Khabib in November when he returns.
The doctor told me recovery time is anywhere from three to six months with this kind of procedure, but I heal quick. Whenever Khabib’s b—- ass comes back, that’s when I’ll be back. I’m thinking November.”-Tony Ferguson to ESPN
Also included in his interview is that Ferguson believes he is still the UFC champion, citing the fact that he has never lost his belt.
The UFC has indicated my title is gone and Khabib is the only champion at 155 pounds, but the UFC hasn’t mentioned anything official to my management. As far as I’m concerned, I’m still the true 155-pound champion. I never lost my belt.
If not given a title fight upon his return, Ferguson would not only suffer a huge blow to his career legacy but to his wallet as well. According to Ferguson and his manager, fighting as a champion makes him more money and he was also set to make a pay-per-view bonus at UFC 223. The way Ferguson sees it, the UFC would be adding insult to injury if he’s not given a title fight upon his return.
The UFC has indicated my title is gone and Khabib is the only champion at 155 pounds, but the UFC hasn’t mentioned anything official to my management. As far as I’m concerned, I’m still the true 155-pound champion. I never lost my belt.
It’s hard to argue against Ferguson’s logic as he begins his journey to return to the top of the UFC’s lightweight division, however, there may be too much money to make in another fight. With all the chaos that Conor McGregor caused prior to UFC 223, the fight that everyone wants to see, that would make the most money is McGregor vs Nurmagomedov, which would leave Ferguson without a title or his big money once he returns.
