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Tony Ferguson tells Conor McGregor he 'can't run forever'

Published Mar. 26, 2017 5:35 a.m. ET

Damon Martin

Tony Ferguson is a man on a mission to become UFC lightweight champion but Conor McGregor is still standing in his way.

While Ferguson seems like the clear-cut No. 1 contender at 155 pounds, McGregor has been embroiled in negotiations for a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather, which means he's not defending his UFC title any time soon.

Ferguson expected to fight for the interim lightweight title in his absence until Khabib Nurmagomedov ended up in the hospital the night before their fight at UFC 209 due to a brutal weight cut that ultimately canceled the bout.

Now Ferguson is taking aim at McGregor once again via Twitter by telling him to either step up and face him or vacate the title he won last November with a second-round TKO over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205.

Ferguson has long desired to face McGregor in the Octagon but has never received his opportunity to take on the outspoken Irishman despite a remarkable nine-fight win streak in the lightweight division.

McGregor's current agenda is on hold until at least after the birth of his first child in late April or early May and then his immediate UFC future hinges on the matchup with Mayweather.

All signs point towards the two sides reaching an agreement for a fight that could take place as early as September, but if negotiations fall apart McGregor could still return to the UFC before the end of the year.

Clearly, Ferguson is already tired of waiting and wants McGregor to either come back to defend his belt or give up the title so he can compete to become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

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