Tony Ferguson has been left "p***ed" in an angry response to a fake quote attributed to UFC president Dana White.
The 38-year-old is in the midst of a four-fight losing streak having suffered a devastating stoppage defeat by Michael Chandler earlier this year. Ferguson has faced heavy criticism in the aftermath of this latest loss, with many suggesting that he should retire from the sport.
The American found fake comments online which White was falsely alleged to have said his recent interview, which read: "Khabib Nurmagomedov ducked Tony Ferguson for years. But Tony Ferguson is kind of washed now, so there is a good chance he will fight him now." Ferguson was left aggrieved by the fake quote and responded on Instagram : "Washed up? Dana White, I’ll give you washed up…washed these nuts. Now I’m p***ed."
He was clearly fired up by the fake comments, with his post followed by a series of obscenity-filled hashtags. The quote has since been identified as fake, with the comments edited from White's actual claim, which stated the pair should fight after being named as potential Ultimate Fighter coaches.
The lightweight contender has been critical of White in recent weeks, previously suggesting that the UFC kingpin made him feel like "s***" about a weight switch. “I have nothing against going up a weight class," Ferguson said. "For a long time, Dana made me feel like s*** for going up a weight. But he made me feel like s*** for a long time, and when you have people making you feel like sh*t like that, essentially you start to almost believe it.
"I’m not standing here giving him the finger, but I’m kinda sitting here like, I’m gonna do me for me now, and you’re gonna watch me now. I’m not trying to be unhappy anymore, because I just can’t do that s*** anymore. I’m not going to let commentary or people have that fault and throw it in my s***. I do that myself, and I do it enough.”
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Ferguson was set to meet bitter rival Nurmagomedov several times throughout his career but a fight always failed to materialise. Nurmagomedov has since retired as an undefeated champion and has not yet entertained any thoughts of returning to the UFC.
The American star made a fresh fight call-out to the Russian by comparing him to pop star Justin Bieber, tweeting: "Hey Khabieber, you done with your world tour yet? About time you man up and face a real coaches' challenge. How about a pie-eating contest fatty? Nom nom nom, time's time to make some real nose buddy foo foo, 29-1. I win - the champ."
The Russian quickly clapped back, responding: "I'm waiting for you to wake up." Their latest engagement appears to show no signs of a rivalry finally being settled in the Octagon, with Nurmagomedov currently focused on his own MMA promotion, Eagles FC.
