Tony Ferguson claims that Khabib Nurmagomedov's absence at this weekend's UFC 249 means he can no longer be considered the promotion's lightweight champion.
A fight between the pair fell through for the fifth time last month when the UFC where forced to postpone the event due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead Ferguson will take on Justin Gaethje for the interim 155 pounds belt behind closed doors in Florida with Nurmagomedov set to face the winner later this year.
"To me Khabib doesn't even exist," Ferguson said when asked of the current champion, who is isolating in Dagestan, at the UFC's virtual media day.
"Khabib didn't want the fight, he ran away like a dog with his tail between his legs, it's the same thing with Conor (McGregor). Where are they at? Obviously they're back home trying to quarantine and we're here crushing quarantine.
"He should be stripped of his title," Ferguson added ahead of chasing his 13th straight victory on Saturday night.
"He obviously knew what he could do to help save this card, he didn't want to take any of those chances. Everybody is taking risks trying to do it. He bailed out, man. It's pretty hard to explain, but he bailed out, man."
