Khabib has minimal sympathy for Ferguson amid removal from title picture

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov offered only a tad of sympathy for Tony Ferguson a day after the latter was removed from the title picture.

In an Instagram post Saturday, Nurmagomedov reminded Ferguson that he was bumped down the contenders pole three times before finally getting to fight for the belt.

Ferguson won the interim title in October 2017 but never got a shot at the championship. He was offered a chance to face Max Holloway for another interim title at UFC 236, but he refused, allowing Dustin Poirier to take the fight.

The champion's full caption can be viewed below:

I want to remind you guys, that before I become champion, I was close to the title fight 3 times and all 3 times I missed my opportunity. First was in July 2016 when I was offered to fight in Ramadan month and I turned it down, second was UFC 205 NYC when I was offered a title fight, bout agreement signed, but my title was given away, you know the story. Third time was UFC 209 where I was hospitalized and almost died. But after every single fail I were said: you missed your chance, earn your shot with one more victory. Tony you had your chance and you missed it, and that’s your fault only. You know that I’m disqualified and can’t fight, but it’s not fair to strip me off the title, I fought 3 times in 9 months. I won and defended my belt. As a fighter you deserve a title fight, you are great fighter and opponent, but now you have to fight or wait for my DQ to be over and fight (but UFC doesn’t want it). I don’t understand your offenses, if you fell down, you got to get up, not complain. #ufc #mma #ufclightweight

Injuries to both fighters have prevented Ferguson and Nurmagomedov from meeting inside the Octagon despite several attempts by the UFC.

Nurmagomedov cannot fight until July 6 because of the nine-month suspension he received for his role in the UFC 229 brawl that involved Conor McGregor.