Conor McGregor doesn’t think Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson will happen.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson has been booked for UFC 249 in April, with the pair being booked to compete against each other for the fifth time. With the match up being cancelled four times already, Conor McGregor says he expects it to happen again.
He says he plans on beating Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 this month, then he’ll step in for a title bout when either Ferguson or Khabib pulls out.
“Likely something will happen there, so I’ll be ready to slide in for that belt,” McGregor told The Mac Life (transcript via MMA Mania). “So I’ll just have a good solid camp at 170 with no weight cut, a good fight. I know Donald’s a good fighter. [He has] great records. Most knockdowns, most head kicks, most fights, most rounds. He’s got a lot of UFC records under his belt.”
McGregor also reiterated his desire to be active in 2020, and says he considers this as a “season” like other major sports.
“So I’ll get a great camp, a great fight, and then it’ll take me into the year. I’m looking at this as a season,” he said. “This was the beginning of the season. Donald was the first one that I agreed to have a bout with, and here we are.”
He also reiterated his claims that the undefeated champion who beat him is scared.
“That man is trembling. He doesn’t want it. He doesn’t want it. You get it. He’s trying not to lose it again,” he said. “I just smell s—t. That’s all it is. He’s afraid, and that’s it. Everyone wants it. The boss wants it – Dana wants it. We all want it. He can run, but he cannot hide. I look forward to it.”
While many would argue that others are more deserving of that title shot in the event that Khabib or Ferguson pulls out, Dana White already expressed interest and tried to justify handing it to McGregor.
