Khabib Nurmagomedov blasts Tony Ferguson for turning down interim fight

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is calling fellow MMA fighter Tony Ferguson out for turning down an interim-level fight.

Nurmagomedov, who currently is serving a nine-month ban for his role in brawling with Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in October, posted to Instagram about his disappointment in Ferguson for trying to rush to fight him while he is suspended.

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I want to remind you guys, that before I become champion, I was close to the title fight 3 times and all 3 times I missed my opportunity. First was in July 2016 when I was offered to fight in Ramadan month and I turned it down, second was UFC 205 NYC when I was offered a title fight, bout agreement signed, but my title was given away, you know the story. Third time was UFC 209 where I was hospitalized and almost died. But after every single fail I were said: you missed your chance, earn your shot with one more victory. Tony you had your chance and you missed it, and that’s your fault only. You know that I’m disqualified and can’t fight, but it’s not fair to strip me off the title, I fought 3 times in 9 months. I won and defended my belt. As a fighter you deserve a title fight, you are great fighter and opponent, but now you have to fight or wait for my DQ to be over and fight(but UFC doesn’t want it). I don’t understand your offenses, if you fell down, you got to get up, not complain. #ufc #mma #ufclightweight

A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Feb 23, 2019 at 7:24pm PST

"Tony, you had your chance and you missed it, and that's your fault only," Nurmagomedov wrote. "You know that I'm disqualified and can't fight, but it's not fair to strip me off the title. I fought 3 times in 9 months. I won and defended my belt.

"As a fighter you deserve a title fight, you are great fighter and opponent, but now you have to fight or wait for my DQ to be over and fight (but UFC doesn't want it). I don't understand your offenses, if you fell down, you got to get up, not complain."

Ferguson (24-3) recently turned down the opportunity to fight Max Holloway for the division's interim belt. According to UFC president Dana White, Ferguson said since he's won 11 in a row, he deserves a shot at Nurmagomedov (27-0).

Nurmagomedov is eligible to fight July 6, but said he wants to wait until November to fight in New York.