Tony Ferguson to Islam Makhachev: 'In my prime, I kick your ass'

Tony Ferguson likes chances against UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev – if he was in prime form.

Ferguson had a long-standing rivalry with former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, where they saw five bookings fall through. Ferguson was believed to possibly be Nurmagomedov's biggest threat when he was on a tear having won 12 straight fights.

But how would have Ferguson fared against the current form of Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC)?

"To me, in my opinion, Islam was one of the dudes that always had Khabib in the practice room," Ferguson told Helen Yee. "At the time, it was kind of like Aljo (Sterling) and Merab (Dvalishvili), just feeling like when Aljo left then Merab finally started to shine and stuff. It's the same thing with Khabib and Islam. I always thought Islam was more of a conditioned athlete and doing his thing, but best of luck. But in in my prime, kick your ass."

After Makhachev claimed a second UFC belt, the question on everyone's mind was if he has surpassed his mentor Nurmagomedov's legacy.

"I think when Khabib's dad was there, I think he was in the shadows not wanting to pass him just because out of respect when it goes to your teacher and your coaches and certain things like that," Ferguson said of Makhachev. "I think when everything was all said and done, and Khabib retired and the family things and so on and so forth, that he finally had his time to shine.

"I think he's his own athlete. I don't think he really concerned himself about Khabib or anything else than what he's doing. I think at the end of the day, we're all athletes when it comes down to it. We're trying to pass it and pay it forward to the next generation of athletes. But I tell you what, one or two years at Tony Ferguson's camp and the academy, and you'll be better than Dagestan wrestlers any day."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Tony Ferguson: In my prime, I'd kick Islam Makhachev's ass