Tony Ferguson Reveals Emotional Void Left by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Retirement: A UFC Veteran’s Honest Reflections

Tony Ferguson has admitted that he felt like a little part of him left with Khabib Nurmagomedov when the Russian retired from MMA.

Ferguson was long seen as the biggest threat to Khabib’s undefeated record, but the fight never happened, despite it being booked five times.

Injuries, a failed weight cut, and Covid-19 were all to blame, and any hopes of the fight ever taking place came to an end when Khabib hung up his gloves back in 2020.

‘I know when Khabib left, a little part of me left with that,’ Ferguson told The MMA Hour. ‘It kind of sucked a little bit because we’ve always had that, I don’t want to say negative energy, but that hype that was built around that.

‘Then when that disappeared and the pandemic hit and the f***ing team left and then just a whole bunch, there was nothing else left for me kind of.

Tony Ferguson (R) says a little part of him left with Khabib Nurmagomedov (L) when he left

‘Except what I told myself is I wanted to compete. I wanted to compete enough so that way maybe possibly, win or lose, Khabib would come back.’

Ferguson’s career has certainly taken a serious downturn since Khabib walked away.

A 12-fight win streak has been followed by a six-fight losing one, and he has been finished in his last three bouts.

Fans have called for the 39-year-old to retire, but he has been booked to face rising star Paddy Pimblett on December 16 at UFC 296.

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