Tony Ferguson has accused former UFC champion Daniel Cormier of using cocaine whilst criticising him for a controversial weigh-in during his fighting career.
Ferguson has been trading words with Cormier after their tense interview before his fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 274 last weekend. Cormier is a teammate of Ferguson's longtime rival, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Five years ago, Cormier controversially weighed in for his UFC 210 rematch with Anthony Johnson by appearing to push down on a towel. This technique can manipulate a scale to read less than someone actually weighs, potentially explaining how Cormier lost 1.2lbs in a matter of seconds.
"How not to make weight ladies and gentleman," Ferguson wrote accompanied with a picture of Cormier weighing in. "Should have stripped him like they did Charles Oliveira. Shout out to all those doing it right and keeping the sport clean."
What do you make of Tony Ferguson and Daniel Cormier's row? Let us know in the comments section below
Cormier then replied: "Tony please stop. Go and sit back for a little, tuck your head in a hole somewhere. Regroup man , recover spend some time with your family. Like just please stop! I plead with you. It is not a good look. Like you’re making me sad
Ferguson then accused the former two-weight champion of using cocaine, writing: "Lay off the yay buddy, not a good look. You make yourself look sad. I’m already back to work, don't quit like you. Enjoy the retirement with fathead [Nurmagomedov]," Ferguson replied.
Cormier warned Ferguson he could take legal action over the claim, whilst adding: "Ok Tony now you’re reaching. Are you saying I do cocaine? I’m so confused right now. I don't know why you’re after me. Get Michael Chandler he’s the one kicked your face not me."
Weigh-ins are a hot topic in the UFC at the moment after Oliveira was stripped of his lightweight belt for missing weight. The Brazilian claimed he made the 155-pound limit on the practice scale backstage and was visibly surprised when told he was half a pound too heavy.
Marc Ratner, the UFC's Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, admitted that the practice scale could have been miscalibrated but the official scale was accurate.
Former interim champion Ferguson has never missed weight in the UFC. He even boasted about his discipline on the scale by posting a video of himself weighing 155-pounds when his UFC 249 title fight with Nurmagomedov was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
