As the date for UFC 249 comes closer, Tony Ferguson is getting into his groove physically. Moreover, to get in the right shape mentally, it looks like Ferguson is treating the fight as if it were for the undisputed belt. He has set up his mind on UFC 249 so strongly that he isn’t thinking about a potential clash with the Dagestani champ in the future.

The headliner of UFC 249 between Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson is for the interim 155 pounds-belt. A belt that Ferguson has already won once after he defeated Kevin Lee in 2017. Since then, he has fought twice.

Consequently, Ferguson views this fight as his third title defense. In all fairness, Tony did nothing to be stripped of the title by the UFC. His only mistake was that he tripped on a cable wire at the most unfortunate of time.

As of now, Ferguson isn’t looking past the task at hand, which is “defending his belt” for the third time. “El Cucuy” isn’t striving for official recognition. This was evident when a journalist asked him about his plans for a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Ferguson cut him in between and said that he is not willing to look ahead of Saturday.

“Stop it. F*** that. You can stop right there bro. I’m not gonna answer that f***ing question. We’re worrying about UFC 249. The fight is with Justin Gaethje,” Ferguson told reporters on Tuesday’s UFC 249 conference call.

Tony Ferguson reveals what he respects about Justin Gaethje

When Justin Gaethje came into the UFC, he wasn’t the most polished of fighters. During his tenure in the organization, he has controlled his recklessness but has still not compromised his thirst for violence. Irrespective of the technique, Tony respects Gaethje for something that has been with him throughout his life.

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“He’s got heart,” Ferguson responded when he was asked what impresses him about Gaethje. Tony’s response was reflective of a fighter who has never cared about fighting styles. Instead, “El Cucuy” fights a style of his own. Hence, what matters for him is what lies in his opponent beneath years of training.

Tony Ferguson will get a chance to have his hands on the interim belt once again this Saturday. If he wins, the world will hope for a chance that we finally get to witness Khabib vs Tony while both their winning streaks are intact.