UFC 209 will feature the co-main event match between Tony "El Cucuy" Ferguson and Khabib "The Eagle" Nugmagomedov for the Interim Lightweight Champion. Khabib is known for his grappling prowess but which is also his weakness according to Ferguson's latest comment.
It's obvious the two fighters don't like each other as both have exchanged insults and even threats. Khabib Nurmagomedov once said that he would break Tony Ferguson's arm when the two will fight. Tony Ferguson didn't like Khabib's comment saying that he loves holding his baby with his and if Khabib did break it, Tony would still beat him.
The fight between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov was scheduled twice prior to UFC 209 but was canceled due to injuries. And despite the delays, both fighters haven't lost the animosity between each other.
Speaking to Fox Sports, Tony Ferguson called his Khabib Nurmagomedov a one trick pony who is similar to the first UFC fighters. UFC back then was dominated by fighters who specialized in a single form of martial arts. Fighters like Royce Gracie who at the time beat men several times larger than him with Jiu Jitsu.
However, if Gracie would've fought in today's UFC, the legendary fighter will definitely be dominated by any well-rounded martial artist. Gracie's and the first UFC sole reliance in one discipline of martial arts would make other aspects of his fight game a weakness. It's the same thing that Tony Ferguson sees in Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Tony Ferguson is confident that he will earn the victory once he neutralizes Khabib's ground game. On the other hand, if Khabib Nurmagomedov does take the fight to the ground, Tony feels that he can still beat the Russian in his own game.
Tony Ferguson believes his jiu-jitsu training and wrestling background is more than enough for Khabib. His goal is to hit Khabib Nurmagomedov with every weapon he has even with a broken arm.
But then again, saying things is easier than getting it done. Khabib Nurmagomedov is undefeated in 24 fights career fights who holds the UFC record of 21 takedowns in a single fight according to MMA Junkie. It will be awfully hard to stop those takedowns but if there's one fighter who can defeat Khabib even if the fight gets to the ground, it would be Tony Ferguson.
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