Tony Ferguson told to RETIRE by Khabib’s manager after Justin Gaethje ‘ass-whooping’ at UFC 249 – The Sun

TONY FERGUSON'S UFC career is effectively over after a shock defeat to Justin Gaethje, Ali Abdelaziz has claimed.

The manager of Khabib Nurmagomedov also believes the 36-year-old American would have been consigned to the history books had he faced the lightweight champion.

Before the coronavirus pandemic struck and delayed UFC 249, Khabib was due to face Ferguson.

And Gaethje's surprise win after stepping into the Octagon as a short-term replacement means he will "never look the same".

That is according to Abdelaziz, who stated to TMZ via APMMA: "I think Justin Gaethje… when he first came to the UFC, he was trying to entertain the fans, you know with some rope-a-dope.

"Then he and his coach Trevor Whitman sat down and he said, ‘You know you’ve got to come out with game plans'.

"No disrespect to nobody but when you take this ass-whooping that Tony did… you’re never going to be the same again.

"If he would have fought Khabib he’d have also never looked the same.

Tony should retire. What else does he need to accomplish?"

"I think he had a great run but when you get beat up like that you’re never gonna look the same and I think he should retire.

"Tony should retire. What else does he need to accomplish?"

Ferguson's eight-year undefeated streak was dramatically ended in Florida as he suffered horrific facial injuries that included a broken eye socket.

And attention now turns to Gaethje's potential bout with Khabib.

Both men are tipped to fight Conor McGregor but the Russian's manager expects the Notorious will have to wait before facing his shot at a championship belt

Abdelaziz continued: “Khabib will never pass Justin Gaethje for Conor.

"Justin Gaethje has so much integrity, he will never tell the UFC, ‘Oh, you know, I’m gonna fight Conor and forget about Khabib', right?

"That man wants to be a champion. At the end of the day, [McGregor] has got to fight.

"If he thinks he’s gonna sit out and fight the winner of him… no. No, Khabib said [to Conor], 'You need more wins. You need to stay more active'."

Source: Read Full Article