Ex-UFC champ Tony Ferguson rips former rival in defense of Islam Makhachev

In an interview with Helen Yee, Ferguson pled his case for why Makhachev’s overall MMA base will eventually outshine Khabib’s when all said and done.

“Somebody was telling me, who do you think is a better wrestler? Is it Makhachev or is it Khabib?" Ferguson asked. “I think Makhachev is the better grappler, honestly. I think he's a little bit faster.”

Ferguson sees a move to welterweight as a positive for Makhachev as he seeks a second belt.

“I think with Khabib, I think he's just a little bit more not timid of the freestyle that Makhachev presents, but I think Makhachev, he's not going to do so bad at 170. I think he’ll be all right," Ferguson said.

Although Nurmagomedov retired undefeated, Ferguson pointed out a key flaw he feels Nurmagomedov had that Makhachev has avoided: activity.

Nurmagomedov left the sport as the UFC’s Lightweight Champion, defeating the likes of Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.

“Look, when it goes into it, you have to have somebody f****** fight for the belt. I mean, Makhachev fought how many times at '55? That's much more, and he made weight. When you have that [four defenses], I think that's a smart move.”

Makhachev is set to make his transition to welterweight after vacating the lightweight title. A new champion will be crowned on June 28 in Las Vegas, NV, when Ilia Topuria challenges Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 317.

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