Tony Ferguson has told lightweight rivals Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor to retire.
Ferguson, who is riding a 12-fight win streak, was due to face 155lb champion Nurmagomedov last month.
But the fight was cancelled for the fifth time and the American will instead take on Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 on Saturday night.
The interim lightweight belt will be on the line in Florida with the winner expecting to then face the champion.
Ferguson, however, insists he will rule the division if his hand is raised.
"F*** Khabib, I’m defending my belt for the third time," he said. "This is for the real belt, not an interim title. This is for the real championship.
"I told Khabib he needs to step down and walk away, Khabib is a b****.
"Him and McNuggets [McGregor], they both need to f****** retire. The only two real men out there are me and Justin Gaethje."
Asked if he would take on Nurmagomedov later this year, Ferguson added: “I’m going to be real, Khabib doesn’t even fucking exist to me right now.
"That dude fell off the face of the earth to me, hHim and McNuggets. Those dudes are a bunch of f****** bitches. The only dudes who sign on the dotted line are real f****** men."
McGregor, meanwhile, could make his return on Fight Island, a unique venue being constructed by the UFC.
The Irishman has not fought since he stopped Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds in January.
But UFC president Dana White said: "Conor’s been ready to fight for a while. He’s in shape. He’s ready to go.
"First of all, ‘Fight Island’ is going to be very important in any of these fights that are happening with people from outside the country. It kills me to do a fight with Conor without fans. Kills me. This guy’s doing almost $20million gates."
