UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor and Tony Ferguson have not always seen eye to eye during their respective UFC tenures.
However, with McGregor preparing for a boxing super fight with Floyd Mayweather, the lightweight contender offers some praise for his counterpart.
“I have to say congratulations (to McGregor); that’s a (expletive) of money for them,” Ferguson told MMA Junkie. “That’s a lot of (expletive) lettuce, but don’t forget about the UFC cage, because you’re holding onto my belt. I’m over here. Let’s fight for an interim belt while Conor is doing his other thing. Let’s get something going. The interim title is vacant. That (expletive) needs to be in my hands. (I’m on a) nine-fight winning streak, and 10 sounds better, so let’s get it moving.”
Ferguson himself hasn’t competed since defeating former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 98.
Since McGregor is now focusing on the boxing ring, the focus should now be put on an interim lightweight title in Ferguson’s opinion.
“I want the interim title fight,” Ferguson said. “They offered it to Nate Diaz – I’m not sure what his problem is. I’m not sure if he’s ever going to fight again. I really don’t think he will, or Nick (Diaz), because I think they’re just so busy doing their things. They just want to keep their legacies secure and they don’t want to add another loss to their records. They’ve got plenty of them. At least Nate does. I’m 23-3, nine (wins) in a row, and my skills are getting way, way better. … There needs to be a real champ in this division, and I’m that guy.”
The next fight for Ferguson has yet to be announced, while McGregor is facing Mayweather on Saturday, August 26.
