Zubaira Tukhugov has revealed that Khabib Nurmagomedov sent him a text message saying they were "supporting" Tony Ferguson at UFC 249.
Ferguson's 12-fight winning streak was snapped by Justin Gaethje who stopped him to claim the interim UFC lightweight title last month.
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'The Highlight' will now face UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov in an undisputed clash this year.
And Nurmagomedov's teammate Tukhugov claims Team Khabib were all sad that Ferguson lost.
"Of course, I was sad about how it went. I was watching it live after the 3rd round I texted Khabib," Tukhugov said.
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"I wrote him: 'Do you think can Ferguson win?' He said: 'I don't know but we're supporting Ferguson, we need him.'
"So, we all were rooting for Ferguson that night."
He continued by questioning Ferguson's decision to cut weight twice for his title bout: "I think he could've won the fight if he didn't cut weight twice. He acts crazy sometimes. I don't know why he wants to show off, he is on 12 fight win streak, he doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. A fighter on his level shouldn't be making mistakes like that.
"I didn't expect a performance like that from Gaethje. I thought he'll get tired, but he didn't. He was in great shape."
Nurmagomedov, who hasn't fought since September 2019, will face Gaethje next, but Tukhugov believes there isn't anyone dangerous for the undefeated superstar.
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"For Khabib, there isn't anyone who's dangerous," he added. "Not Gaethje, not Ferguson, no one. I'm confident he smashes both of them. But if we compare him to Ferguson, I think Gaethje has the better chance."
Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje is penciled in for September with Dana White suggesting that Conor McGregor will face the winner before the year's end.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, UFC News, Tony Ferguson, Fight News, UFC, MMA, Dana White
