:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59511347/004_Al_Iaquinta.0.jpg)
This week, Tony Ferguson took to Twitter to mock Khabib Nurmagomedov’s title winning performance at UFC 223 and lament being stripped of his own interim title. In the process of doing so though, he also mocked the fighter Nurmagomedov beat, Al Iaquinta, and “Ragin’ Al” did not take to kindly to being called a “part-time fighter.” Iaquinta fired back at the “weirdo.”
.Beats a non-full time fighter real estate agent ranked #11 on @ufc roster, and I get Stripped when same thing happened to @rjwhittaker1990 @teamkhabib run til’ November #PaperChump https://t.co/es3xBJEPSR
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) April 24, 2018
Bro you need to get off Twitter and shut it.. you blew it, you shoulda fought anyway. You lost your shot for good! this real estate agent would whoop you get dropped every fight
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) April 24, 2018
the ufc stripped you cause your a weirdo and Whittaker isn’t
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) April 24, 2018
Ferguson was supposed to face Nurmagomedov at UFC 223 for the undisputed lightweight title but was forced to withdraw from the fight just days beforehand with a knee injury, incurred when he fell during a media event. Max Holloway stepped in for Ferguson but was then also ruled ineligible to fight when he struggled with his weight cut, leaving Iaquinta to get a title shot on a day’s notice. Though Iaquinta earned praise for his performance, he was soundly defeated by Nurmagomedov and Ferguson returned fire after the “weirdo” comment alluding to that fact, sparking a heated Twitter feud between the two.
Damn Son You Didn’t Even Belong In That Cage, Although I WAS rooting For You, Weird Is Having To Make Your Own Name Plate At Media Day. Sad To See How You SOLD OUT To Fight For A Title When You Couldn’t Even Win The Title. Star Struck. Best Of Luck Kid. Get Back In Line.
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) April 24, 2018
I belonged more than you, you tripped on a rope
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) April 24, 2018
It’s Ok Kiddo, I Forgive You. I’m Not The One You’re** Really Angry At. One Day We Will See Each Other In The Octagon If You Keep Winning. #TUFGuys
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) April 24, 2018
Be quiet until you come back until then your embarrassing yourself you can’t fight
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) April 24, 2018
I’ll Never Be Quiet Kiddo. pic.twitter.com/cDJtdRQL7g
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) April 24, 2018
@TonyFergusonXT you said you were going to meet at the flag pole after school and you didn’t show up because you tripped on a rope hide bro
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) April 24, 2018
Ferguson is expected to be out of competition for 6-to-9 months while he recovers from recent knee surgery to fix the injury. In the meantime though, the lightweight division moves forward and with multiple fighters knocking on the door for a title shot, Ferguson himself may be shunted to the end of the line of title contenders, depending on how everything shakes out. If he does though, at least Ferguson found an appropriate dance partner for when he does return.
MUST-READ STORIES
Get ‘em. Leslie Smith plans legal action against UFC after having contract bought out in wake of union efforts.
Appeal. Merab Dvalishvili to appeal controversial Ricky Simon loss, expects UFC rematch.
Nutrition. Kevin Lee explains his botched weight cut, plans to hire nutritionist for next fight.
Stoic. Fedor Emelianenko not worried about Chael Sonnen talk, Frank Mir’s size.
VIDEO STEW
The MMA After Hour.
The hero we need.
TJ is confident.
Volkan on the Shogun fight.
TTTHS.
LISTEN UP
The MMA Circus. Recapping UFC Atlantic City and the Leslie Smith saga.
Obviously Fight Talk. Recapping UFC Atlantic City plus Elias Theodorou interview.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
You mad bro?
coming from u man.. being tough is going true the champ rounds without the “good stuff” now step up and I’ll show u!!
— Alexander Gustafsson (@AlexTheMauler) April 24, 2018
Brilliant come back, just what I expected from you. I guess shogun, rampage, Bader etc. could all use the same excuse now too. Do you look yourself in the mirror and call yourself champ now that “I cheated”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 24, 2018
Please tell me you convinced yourself that I was on steroids during our fight please tell me you convinced yourself I was ever on steroids
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 24, 2018
The only “good stuff” I used to send you packing was my big old American balls. Try spending a little more time here, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 24, 2018
Jedi Mind Tricks.
Yeah but when you are an all-time great, you suddenly get Jedi mind powers over that type of stuff, doesn’t count https://t.co/0rTJl3MPB8
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 24, 2018
Truly terrible.
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) April 24, 2018
Hope he’s getting his shot.
Literally this could not be more generic.
Your official #UFCLiverpool poster has landed!! pic.twitter.com/cuU1U4HpEI
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 24, 2018
Tempurpedic.
I think i need a sponsor in mattresses & pillows cause mfuckers get the fastest sleep. #YourWelcome #ufc226 pic.twitter.com/p9tSMQ7pmF
— Gökhan Saki (@gokhantherebel) April 24, 2018
What happened to all the good fans? *posts GIF of Just Bleed Guy*
Whatever Happened To The Hardcore UFC/MMA Fans?! Remember The @Tapout Days? The Low MMA IQ Of These Casuals Make It Too Easy- pic.twitter.com/RIocTsmLZH
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) April 24, 2018
Off brand Conor.
I will own Bellator after this weekend.
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) April 24, 2018
Champ life.
What a guy.
Fact: There Has Been No Hard MMA Sparring In My Camps For Almost Three-Four Years. I Find It Limits The Amount Of Creativity That Goes Into My Flow. Plus, I Never Liked Hurting My Training Team- #TimeForChange Levels- SnapJitsu™️ pic.twitter.com/TUmEgKQgOr
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) April 25, 2018
Sage gonna be a middleweight soon.
190 Mr. Faber pic.twitter.com/PkuYBtEIyR
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) April 24, 2018
Friends.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gerald Harris (25-5) vs. Rafael Lovato Jr. (7-0); Bellator 198, April 28.
Glover Teixeira (27-6) vs. Ilir Latifi (14-5, 1 NC); UFC Hamburg, July 22.
Marc Diakiese (12-2) vs. Nasrat Haqparast (8-2); UFC Hamburg, July 22.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2003: At UFC 42, Matt Hughes defeated Sean Sherk by unanimous decision to retain his welterweight title. This event also saw the UFC debut of future middleweight champion Rich Franklin, who stopped Evan Tanner with punches in the first round.
2004: Pride FC kicked off its 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix with Pride: Total Elimination 2004. Most notable from this event was Fedor Emelianenko submitting Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman knocking out Mirko Cro Cop.
2015: Demetrious Johnson authored the latest finish in UFC history when he submitted Kyoji Horiguchi at 4:59 of the fifth UFC 186, retaining his flyweight title.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Have a good one and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Who wins in a fight?
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.
Get the latest gear
