Tony Ferguson Claims Michael Chandler Received 'Dana White Privilege' With Timely Title Shot

Mandatory Credit: Josh Hedges - Zuffa LLC

Former interim UFC lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson was on stellar form at yesterday's pre-fight press conference ahead of UFC 262, switching his attention to the validity of former three-time Bellator lightweight champion, Michael Chandler's timely title shot under the UFC's banner. 

Ferguson, who takes co-main event status at the Toyota Centre event in Houston, Texas -- draws surging Kings MMA staple, Beneil Dariush at the event, looking to snap a two-fight losing skid carried forward from last year. 

Headlining the event with vacant lightweight spoils up for grabs; the #3 ranked, Charles Oliveira -- who earned his slot in the bracket with a December decision shutout against Ferguson. Across from the Brazilian will stand the aforenoted, Chandler, who landed in the promotion back in January with a massive first round knockout win over Dan Hooker to assume the #4 rank in the lightweight pile.

Upon the official vacating of the lightweight title by Khabib Nurmagomedov, Oliveira was inserted into the title picture opposite, Chandler, and while many have welcomed Oliveira's addition given his eight-fight winning spree, some have questioned the validity of Chandler's inclusion, including former interim champion, Ferguson. 

Interrupting Chandler, Ferguson claimed that the Sanford MMA staple had avoided him to instead take a fight with Hooker, before claiming that the Missouri veteran had received "Dana White privilege" given his quickfire route to the title shot.

"You f*cking dodged me too, (Michael) Chandler," Ferguson said. "You're a bitch. You said no, man. You got this sh*t handed to you. You got Dana White privilege."

That remark drew a rather notable and lengthy laugh from White, while Chandler tongue-in-cheek thanked the promotional president for his shot at lightweight gold. 

"Check this sh*t out: Dana (White) was right," Ferguson said. "Timing is everything. It wasn't meant to be for me to have the title. I would've given everybody the chance. These guys are going to try to keep the title away as much as they can. I'm Mexican. it doesn't matter if you coloured up here or not, but I'm made with Native American parts, too. Let's go."

Prior to that interaction with Chandler, Ferguson once more interrupted to fire some barbs at five-time scheduled opponent, the above-mentioned Nurmagomedov, borrowing a quote from rapper, Future -- claiming that he won't be chasing the Dagestani anymore. 

"He's (Khabib Nurmagomedov) a f*cking bitch, he's a f*cking pussy," Ferguson said. "Sorry to interrupt you, but I'm dedicating this song 'Mask Off' -- chase a check, never chase a bitch. That's Khabib."