“Islam needs challenges like him” – Javier Mendez opens up if Islam Makhachev will get to fight Tony Ferguson

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4 years ago

Islam Makhachev and Tony Ferguson would be a great bout

Javier Mendez doesn’t think Islam Makhachev will fight Tony Ferguson

UFC lightweight star, Islam Makhachev (19-1-0), was in fine form at UFC 259 as he beat Drew Dober via submission in the last round.

Since then, he has gained 3 places in the UFC lightweight rankings and is looking upwards. He also called out Tony Ferguson, saying he would help the old man retire from the sport.

And continuing that discussion, his coach, Javier Mendez, addressed a chance of a fight between the two as he was talking on his YouTube podcast earlier this week.

Islam Makhachev won at UFC 259 against Drew Dober. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

But before that, he praised Ferguson and talked him up despite his poor showing recently, saying that if Makhachev fought him, his camp would be prepared for the best ‘El Cucuy’ they have seen.

“If we did fight him, we would be ready for the best Tony Ferguson there ever was. Because if we are prepared for the Tony that was shown the last week, and we get someone else, boy, that’s a bad mistake on our part… I think it’s a bad mistake for people to cross him out yet. He’s not that old.”

Can the Tony Ferguson vs Islam Makhachev fight happen in the future?

Mendez doesn’t think so. Or does he? He seems confused himself, or, he is not giving a more clear answer.

The Mexican coach says that he thinks Islam may never fight him. But then again, he says that he wouldn’t mind this fight as it would be a great challenge for Makhachev.

“We may never fight him, but I wouldn’t mind that fight because he is a great competitor. And Islam needs challenges like him.”

Tony Ferguson vs Islam Makhachev is a fight that Javier Mendez wouldn’t mind. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Mendez claimed that scheduling issues could see the fight not happen. Ferguson was also to fight Khabib five times in the past, but that battle also never took place for one reason or another.

Ferguson is ranked #7 in the UFC lightweight division right now. And Makhachev just moved up to #11.

So a fight in the top ranking would be something that Islam would be realistically looking at. The top 5 guys are probably out of his reach right now, but Ferguson may still be within his reach.