Things are heating up between the two highest-ranked lightweight contenders in the world.

Yesterday, Tony Ferguson let the world know he was interested in coaching opposite Khabib Nurmagomedov on The Ultimate Fighter and then fighting him for an interim lightweight championship while Conor McGregor took an extended hiatus. Well apparently Nurmagomedov heard him because he took to social media to call out Ferguson as a "chicken."

Hello chicken @TonyFergusonXT all this gangster talk but why you no want to sign the contract? It's ok I kill u fast @danawhite @seanshelby — khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 12, 2016

Not one to take anything lying down, Ferguson responded by saying that Nurmagomedov didn't want a fight with him this upcoming January and then posting pictures of himself with both Nurmagomedov and McGregor, saying both were deserving of an "ass whoopin'."

@TeamKhabib @danawhite @seanshelby I Was Ready For Jan Ace, Your Puss Had Too Much Sand In It Still From The Last Fight. You Talk Too Much — Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) December 12, 2016

Not 1 Is More Deserving Of An Ass Whoopin' Than The Other • My #SnapDownCity 12 Down 2 To Go... #Road2Gold @TheNotoriousMMA @TeamKhabib pic.twitter.com/hJDtiI7eP4 — Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) December 12, 2016

Nurmagomedov has previously gone on record saying a fight before March would be a quick turnaround from fighting in mid November, especially for a "high level" fighter like Ferguson. This may also be compounded by an increasing number of obligations outside of the cage. For instance, yesterday Nurmagomedov attended a Q & A and seminar in Kazakhstan that was was so beyond capacity, fans waited outside in near freezing temperatures just to show their support.

Still though, Nurmagomedov took the time to remind Ferguson that the last time they were scheduled to fight, it was Ferguson who pulled out before calling Ferguson a "fanboy."

I was ready in April main event on fox and you pulled out. https://t.co/Evkj9B1oWQ — khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 13, 2016

Next time you see me don't ask me for picture like fan boy. When you ask me for picture you will get slap in your face https://t.co/Evkj9B1oWQ — khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 13, 2016

The back and forth on social media ended there but Ferguson later spoke with Fox Sports, taking aim at Nurmagomedov's "padded" record and attacking his overall MMA game.

"I'll take his 24-0 record - it's [expletive] padded dude. Look at some of the legit fights he's had and then look at mine. I'll take my record over his any day. His record is so padded. He's a paper champ. Get out of here.

"Khabib's got sambo not wrestling. My wrestling is far superior to his... Forcing somebody to shoot, that puts him into snap down city territory. For me unless you know the detour route to that place, you're not going to survive.

"Khabib doesn't have hands. I'm going to out box this dude. I'm going to be too slick for him. He's flat footed. I'm going to take this dude apart."

With all this back and forth, at this point it seems a dead certainty these two will have to settle their rivalry in the octagon. When it does finally happen, be it for an interim title or not, it sets up the winner for Conor McGregor's first career title defense and all the "red panty nights" that go with that.

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Red. Paige VanZant denies Michelle Waterson's claims that she is "very green."

MEDIA STEW

Free fight!

Rumble interview.

Highlights.

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TWEETS

Fight.

@jonnybones testing his grappling skills. Let these old men be. U really wanna try this shit 4 real? Im free Jan 29 lets dance @FloGrappling — Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) December 12, 2016

Doc said I can't kick. Didn't say anything about grappling... — Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) December 12, 2016

Women lie men lie numbers don't lie #TeamBlessedMMA https://t.co/o0WTirKdrd — Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) December 12, 2016

As someone who doesn't cut a lot of weight at 185 I'm a big believer in skill over size. You can't drive a Lamborghini on a dead battery — Zebrinha MMA (@EricSpicely) December 11, 2016

Change your life bread pic.twitter.com/vbyS4rGyjC — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 13, 2016

@emilvalhalla had to leave his axe in Canada.. Didn't get it through customs @arielhelwanipic.twitter.com/OfkmhBAQew — Alexandros (@Amundsakis) December 12, 2016

16 years ago #beyondthefight #badguyinc A photo posted by Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) on Dec 12, 2016 at 9:08am PST

Rush always wanted one! #miniblessed #teamblessedmma #KuikahiHawaii #ufchawaii A video posted by Max Holloway (@blessedmma) on Dec 12, 2016 at 10:50am PST

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sinead Kavanagh (3-0) vs. Elina Kallionidou (5-0); Bellator 169.

TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

2006: The UFC held UFC Fight Night 7, their first event held on a military base, which was headlined by Diego Sanchezknocking out Joe Riggs in the first round.

2008: Ryan Bader made his UFC debut, knocking out Vinny Magalhaes to win The Ultimate Fighter 8 light heavyweight tournament.

2014: Stipe Miocic suffered his last defeat, losing a unanimous decision to Juniod dos Santos at UFC on Fox 13. This event also saw Joanna Jedrzejczyk defeat Claudia Gadelha to earn her shot at the UFC strawweight championship.

FINAL THOUGHTS

That fight is going to be boss. Only downside is I'd like to see Conor fight both men instead of letting contenders pick each other off.

Have a good one and see y'all tomorrow.

If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.