13 May, 2020 10:55

'You're still my b***h': Ferguson tells McGregor to 'put the bottle down' as rival calls brutal UFC 249 defeat an 'embarrassment'

Tony Ferguson has called Conor McGregor a "chump" who "worked for me" as part of a bitter war of words, in which the Irishman labeled him a "f**king buffoon" who needs to "learn how to box" following his loss to Justin Gaethje.

Ferguson – who was pictured dancing with a drip stand while he was kept in hospital for treatment of injuries including a fractured eye socket following his savage defeat against Gaethje – hit back at McGregor's accusations of betrayal over his departure from Paradigm Sports Management more than a year ago, leaving a company that has McGregor on its books.

In a typically withering tirade of tweets on Monday, the notorious fighter claimed he had "represented" Ferguson before he left "for a baseball contract," but the beaten American hit back by revealing that Paradigm boss Audie Attar told him that "you never represented me."

I love Tony. We represented him amazingly at Paradigm sports and were betrayed for a promise of a baseball contract. But frame and preparation here was just embarrassing. His methods and conversation are humorous/enjoyable but he was never the level perceived. Although tough.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 11, 2020

"If so, then you worked for me and withheld money from me," declared Ferguson. "You're still my b***h. Focus on putting the bottle down, kid.”

El Cucuy called his new agents at Ballengee Group "gold standard," adding: "Must be hard watching from the sidelines. Keep it up, chump."

@TheNotoriousMMA You’re Still My Bitch. You Never Represented Me According To Audie,.. If So Then You Worked For Me, & Withheld Money From Me. Focus On Putting The Bottle Down Kid. @BallengeeGroup Is Gold Standard, Must Be Hard Watching From The Sidelines. Keep It Up Chump -Champ pic.twitter.com/1nZT5eN1OZ
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) May 13, 2020

McGregor needed little invitation to mock the gruesome injuries that saw Ferguson kept in a Jacksonville hospital following his fifth-round defeat in the Octagon, referencing International Nurses Day while blasting Ferguson's abilities.

"Shut up and thank the nurses and doctors that plated back up your skull and stitched all those gashes up," he said.

"And learn how to box. Fumbling over your feet like a f**king buffoon – we'd be embarrassed to represent that at Paradigm Sports."

McGregor lashed out at Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov earlier in the week, calling the Russian an "absolute embarrassment" and a "scurrying rat" while promising the UFC 249 headliner that he would "f**king butcher" him in a fight and put his teeth "on a f**king necklace".

Justin, there is no danger in a man that hugs legs, we all know. Try and dance around what the real threat is here all you want. I am going to fucking butcher you. Your teeth. I’m going to put them on a fucking necklace.Speak on my skills as a father? You are fucking dead.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 11, 2020

He appeared to be incensed by Gaethje questioning his parenting abilities, using the platform on which he has more than eight million followers to furiously retort: "Speak on my skills as a father? You are f**king dead."

Nurmagomedov offered a consolatory message to Ferguson before reminding McGregor about his victory over him in October 2018, asking: "Have you forgotten how I knock you down, or are you typing tweets drunk? At the end, you gave up."

McGregor seemed to suggest that the success of the championship depended on him at the end of his latest rant, concluding: "Without me, this whole ship sinks. Never forget that."

Fans were less convinced. "You’ve fought like twice in four years," replied one.