5 fighters who could end 2018 with a UFC title and 5 who won't

Won’t end 2018 with a title: Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson might find it hard going if he faces Khabib Nurmagomedov

So why can’t he end 2018 with a title intact? After all, he’s got incredible skills in all areas. The reason is simple – he’s likely to come up against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Current rumours have the fight scheduled for April’s UFC 223, and if that’s the case then El Cucuy may find himself derailed before he even has a chance to step into the cage with McGregor. Dagestani juggernaut Nurmagomedov is simply a horrible match for him.

Ferguson has been on a tremendous run since 2013, but his lone weakness has always appeared to be his takedown defence and a willingness to stay on the bottom and hunt for submissions. He almost lost to Lee this way and was almost defeated by Danny Castillo, too.

This must be music to Khabib’s ears – he’s the best wrestler and the best at top control and ground-and-pound in the division – and I just can’t see Ferguson keeping his title against ‘The Eagle’.