‘You got Dana White privilege’: Tony Ferguson steals show at UFC 262 press conference
HOUSTON – Tony Ferguson didn’t hold back during Thursday’s UFC 262 press conference.
Ferguson, a former UFC interim lightweight champion, went off on more than just his opponent, Beneil Dariush, as he took shots at current title challenger Michael Chandler to his face and former champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, who wasn’t present.
Ferguson (25-5 MMA, 15-3 UFC) first went after Nurmagomedov, with whom he has plenty of history. The two were scheduled to fight five times throughout the past several years, but the bout never came to fruition for a multitude of reasons. Nurmagomedov retired last October, but even retirement hasn’t dwindled Ferguson’s beef with him.
“He’s a f*cking b*tch, he’s a f*cking p*ssy,” Ferguson said, interrupting MMA Junkie’s John Morgan as he asked Dana White about Nurmagomedov. “Sorry to interrupt you, but I’m dedicating this song “Mask Off” – chase the check, never chase a b*tch. That’s Khabib.”
Tony Ferguson at the UFC 262 press conference.
Ferguson didn’t stop there. He later extended his trash talk to Chandler, the former Bellator champ who’s set to fight Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 262. Ferguson and Chandler were linked to a bout in late 2020, but it fell through, and “El Cucuy” accused Chandler of avoiding him.
“You f*cking dodged me too, Chandler,” Ferguson said, interrupting. “You’re a b*tch. You said no, man. You got this sh*t handed to you. You got Dana White privilege.”
That remark got a big laugh from even UFC president Dana White himself.
“Check this sh*t out: Dana was right. Timing is everything. It wasn’t meant for me to have the title,” Ferguson continued. “I would’ve given everybody the chance. These guys are going to try to keep the title away as much as they can. I’m Mexican. It doesn’t matter if you colored up here or not, but I’m made with Native American parts, too. Let’s go.”
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Ferguson has long been considered one of the best lightweights as he’s remained a top contender for many years. The 37-year-old was on an impressive 12-fight winning streak, but saw that streak come to an end last year with losses to Justin Gaethje and Oliveira.
Ferguson, who’s on the first losing skid of his career, attempts to get back to his winning ways on Saturday night in the UFC 262 co-main event against Dariush. With his first fight of the year almost here, Ferguson is intent on turning things around.
“The funny thing is, God never puts enough on our plate that we can’t handle,” Ferguson said. “Last year I put so much on my damn plate that he fixed me up for this year, and 2021 is my damn b*tch.”
