Tony Ferguson believes Justin Gaethje is throwing him a curveball with his nose claim ahead of UFC 249.
Ferguson meets Gaethje for the interim-UFC lightweight title in the main-event of UFC 249 on Saturday.
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And speaking on the UFC 249 media conference call, 'The Highlight' said that he bizarrely wants to get his nose broken by Ferguson so he can finally get the surgery needed to fix it.
But 'El Cucuy' isn't buying it as he hit back at Gaethje's comment with an interesting reply.
"He just doesn't want me to hit him in the body," he said via ESPN.
Gaethje took the UFC 249 assignment on short notice after getting the call last month and he revealed his ideal scenario would include having his nose busted up.
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"I need my nose broken," he explained. "I haven't been able to breathe through my nose for like 12 years since wrestling.
"So hopefully one of those elbows cracks my nose - the UFC has to pay for that sh*t - and it's an exciting fight."
On UFC 249 Countdown, Gaethje added: "Tony Ferguson is a great competitor, 12 wins in a row - but I knock him out cold.
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"I'm gonna fight until I'm finished, or I'm gonna fight until Tony's finished. That's what I've always done. I possess the power to turn his lights off, and I believe I will.
"My work ethic comes through my genetics. Three generations working in the copper mines in Arizona, both sides of my family. You know, hard work was instilled in me. I give max effort and outside that I don't care what happens, that's what makes me so dangerous."
Gaethje heads into his first UFC championship bout riding an impressive three-fight winning streak which includes first round stoppages over James Vick, Edson Barboza and Donald Cerrone.
Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, UFC News, MMA News, Tony Ferguson, Fight News, UFC, MMA, UFC 249
