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Nicolas Atkin

After all the bluster leading up to their cancelled UFC 249 title fight in Brooklyn, it would be hard to think Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson could put their bad blood to one side.
The UFC lightweight champ sent a classy message after Ferguson’s shock fifth-round TKO defeat by Justin Gaethje in the rescheduled card’s main event last weekend, though.
“Whatever happened is in the past,” the Russian wrote on Twitter. “Heads up Tony, I hope everything is good with you and your family. When your son grow up he’ll be proud with you.”
And now Ferguson has returned the gesture after beginning his recovery from the broken orbital bone he suffered at the relentless hands of Gaethje in that upset loss which flipped the script on trying to set up Khabib vs Tony for a sixth time.


“Respect @TeamKhabib,” Ferguson wrote on Twitter, quoting Nurmagomedov’s message. “You still owe me 20 push-ups. Glad your pops is doing better.”
Reports emerged this week that Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s father and coach, had been put into a medically-induced coma. Abdulmanap is now reportedly out of the coma and recovering, having originally shown symptoms of pneumonia in Dagestan before being moved to a Moscow hospital.

“Respect” @TeamKhabib You Still Owe Me 20 Pushups Glad Your Pops Is Doing Better I’ll See You Soon Kid, Keep Training For The Real Finale. -Champ -CSO- pic.twitter.com/xKBA9jiWA2
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) May 16, 2020

But after returning the show of respect, Ferguson confirmed he is still intent on finally stepping into the Octagon with “The Eagle” down the line.
￼”I’ll see you soon kid, keep training for the real finale,” Ferguson added.
Dana White said at the UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Teixeira post-event press conference that he is targeting Nurmagomedov vs Gaethje after the summer.
“Yesterday we were going to send out bout agreements … we're talking about doing Gaethje vs Khabib in September yeah, because I talked to Khabib yesterday and he said, 'I'm ready to go in September',” White said on Wednesday night.

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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC: Tony Ferguson tells Khabib ‘see you soon kid’ after classy gesture – ‘keep training for the real finale’

Tony Ferguson looks on after his fifth-round defeat against Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. Photo: AFP

UFC: Justin Gaethje says Conor McGregor is ‘on his knees’ and warns him ‘you’re losing your clout’

Justin Gaethje speaks to the media after his Interim lightweight title fight against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. Photo: AFP

UFC: Conor McGregor says ‘learn how to box’ after Tony Ferguson tells him to ‘put down the bottle’

Tony Ferguson gets hits by Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

UFC: Dana White needs Conor McGregor off Twitter and back fighting, so line up Justin Gaethje and cue the media storm

It’s time to get Conor McGregor back in the Octagon. Photo: AP

LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 26: Conor McGregor holds up a cup of his Notorious-branded Irish whiskey as he speaks during a news conference following his 10th-round TKO loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their super welterweight boxing match at T-Mobile Arena on August 26, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 23: UFC President Dana White attends a news conference for the bout between boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor at the KA Theatre at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on August 23, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather and McGregor will meet in a super welterweight boxing match at T-Mobile Arena on August 26 in Las Vegas. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Tony Ferguson is the type of guy to save the day for the UFC – so give him the Khabib fight anyway

A bloodied Tony Ferguson at the end of his interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. Photo: AFP

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MAY 09: Justin Gaethje (L) of the United States punches Tony Ferguson (R) of the United States in their Interim lightweight title fight during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 09, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MAY 09: Justin Gaethje of the United States celebrates after defeating Tony Ferguson of the United States in their Interim lightweight title fight during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 09, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

May 9, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Tony Ferguson (red gloves) fights Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 249: Tony Ferguson dances in his hospital gown a day after devastating loss to Justin Gaethje

Tony Ferguson posts a selfie in his hospital bed with his wife, showing off his broken orbital bone. Photo: Instagram/@tonyfergusonxt

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


Ferguson returns the show of respect for UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov after Gaethje loss
‘Glad to see your pops is OK … you still owe me 20 push-ups,’ writes ‘El Cucuy’ on Twitter



Tony Ferguson tells Khabib Nurmagomedov to ‘keep training for the real finale’ as he returns show of respect to UFC lightweight champion after shock loss to Justin Gaethje.


Tony Ferguson

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Justin Gaethje

UFC 249

UFC: Tony Ferguson tells Khabib ‘see you soon kid’ after classy gesture – ‘keep training for the real finale’

Ferguson returns the show of respect for UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov after Gaethje loss ‘Glad to see your pops is OK … you still owe me 20 push-ups,’ writes ‘El Cucuy’ on Twitter

Ferguson returns the show of respect for UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov after Gaethje loss

‘Glad to see your pops is OK … you still owe me 20 push-ups,’ writes ‘El Cucuy’ on Twitter