![Tony Ferguson (left) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (right) have never fought in the UFC [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c51d9-17350351051263-1920.jpg)
![Tony Ferguson (left) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (right) have never fought in the UFC [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%205.625'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMckW//EACUQAAEDAgMJAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAwQFEQAhIxIUFRciJDJhg//aAAgBAQABPwCcNOeKjcPgssFCQGlI2Wy3g9q+olurxXP3bHLioSu4aOEjbuoKK+Q5L88f/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECIf/aAAgBAgEBPwCFh//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIhAP/aAAgBAwEBPwB1Xf/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has responded to a recent Instagram post, which is a redesigned image of him and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The original image that inspired the post was taken by renowned celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz for Louis Vuitton's 2022 campaign.
The photograph featured star footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi playing chess on a checkered LV suitcase.
Check out the original post below:
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Unreal Engine artist Feoktist Alekseev recreated the picture with Nurmagomedov and Ferguson. ESPN MMA on Instagram shared the same with the caption:
"This artist reimagined Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic chess photo with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson 🔥 #UFC311 (🎨 @designbyfeo)"
Check out the redesigned image of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson playing chess:
The post caught the attention of 'El Cucuy,' who commented:
“It’s Chess,.. Not Checkers Mate”- Champ ♟️ -CSO- 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽 # ⚔️🕶️"
Did Tony Ferguson fight Khabib Nurmagomedov?
UFC has tried to arrange a bout between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov five times between 2015-20, but it never transpired for a variety of reasons.
Previously the two combatants were scheduled to face off in the finale of 'The Ultimate Fighter' 22 in 2015. However, the Dagestani phenom withdrew due to a rib injury.
The two were next scheduled to face each other at UFC on Fox 19 in 2016, however, Ferguson withdrew this time because of fluid in his lungs. Both were scheduled to square off at UFC 209 in March 2017, but the fight was canceled after Nurmagomedov was hospitalized due to weight-cutting issues.
The promotion next planned for a vacant title fight between 'El Cucuy' and 'The Eagle' at UFC 223. This time, Ferguson withdrew from the contest due to a knee injury.
Ferguson was then scheduled to face off against Nurmagomedov at UFC 249. However, the bout was called off because of COVID-19.
Check out Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov's faceoff pre UFC 249:
