Manager: McGregor dodged UFC 249 because Ferguson ‘would beat his ass’

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Ali Abdelaziz has criticised Conor McGregor for avoiding fighting at UFC 249.

Khabib Numagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has said Conor McGregor purposely avoided fighting at UFC 249 because he knows Tony Ferguson “would beat his ass.”

Abdelaziz has come to Khabib’s defence after McGregor criticised the current lightweight champion for pulling out of his UFC 249 fight with Ferguson. Travel restrictions due to the outbreak of the coronavirus meant the undefeated Russian pulled out of his title bout, with Justin Gaethje replacing him to fight Ferguson.

McGregor accused Khabib of “chickening out” of the fight, but Abdelaziz criticised the Irishman for going against his word.

”You’re telling everybody to stay home, now Khabib — the government of Russia says he can’t travel,” Abdelaziz told TMZ Sports. “You’re going to call him a chicken?! [Conor] doesn’t matter.

“[Conor is not] #1, he’s not #2, he’s not #3. It’s Khabib, Justin, Tony. [Conor is] #4. He’s not even in the conversation right now. He’s just like a jealous prostitute, she’s got too old for her to make money.”

McGregor and Khabib’s rivalry has continued since their fight back at UFC 229 in October 2018, when Khabib won by fourth-round submission. UFC president Dana White recently stated McGregor could be waiting a while before he gets another shot at Khabib.

“Why don’t you even jump on a plane and come fight Tony Ferguson? I bet he understands that Tony Ferguson would beat his ass too, “ Abdelaziz continued. “All those 3 guys would beat his ass. Justin, Tony and Khabib.”

UFC 249 is expected to take place next Saturday, April 18th, at the Tachi Palace Casino in California. An interim lightweight title bout between Ferguson and Gaethje will headline the card.