Nurmagomedov and Ferguson (right) (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson had several heated exchanges at a press conference on Friday, including words over street fighting. After the memorable presser, Nurmagomedov outlined why Ferguson’s comments about street fighting, in particular, fired him up.

Nurmagomedov and Ferguson are booked to fight at UFC 249, on April 18th. Following Friday’s presser, the lightweight champ spoke with ESPN.

While talking about Ferguson’s comments regarding street fighting, Nurmagomedov said the following (quote via BJ Penn.com):

“Honestly, when I go to the press conference I think I want to be nice. You know I don’t want to go crazy. You know? But, when he talk about street fight, I go a little bit… A little bit crazy, yes.” Khabib Nurmagomedov explained. “Because this guy never fight in street. What are you talking about? Who? You know, I have a lot of fight in street. This guy never fight. Because in America, you cannot fight in street. But I grew up in Dagestan, everyday I fight in the street. You talk about street fight?”

“Because people don’t understand. Maybe people think I am like him from America. But I am not from America. You know? I am from Dagestan and we fight all the time here. Like in school, like in everywhere. Gym. Like I have a lot of fights in street and when he talk about street fight, I no understand. This guy never fight in street.”

Nurmagomedov (28-0) is coming off a submission win over Dustin Poirier in September, and Ferguson (25-3) recorded a TKO win (via doctor stoppage) over Donald Cerrone in his last fight, which took place in June.

UFC 249 will be hosted by the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.