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Tony Ferguson just wrapped up several grueling weeks of training camp at elevation in Big Bear, Calif., when he was dragged to an upscale Los Angeles restaurant this week for a media lunch to promote UFC 216.

Sporting a black ball cap, black hoodie over his head and sunglasses, Ferguson resembles a poker player who’s all business. That’s because, with his interim lightweight title fight against Kevin Lee just around the corner, Ferguson is just that – all business.

He’s not interested in being fake or sugar-coating his thoughts. And he’s in no mood to eat the “bougie-ass food” being served on this day.

“I’m a Neanderthal, man. I just came down from the mountain,” Ferguson says. “Last thing I want to f*cking do is engulf myself in some bougie-ass shit, because I know it’s going to make me weak. I’m not here to play this game. I’m not here for you guys in the media. I’m here for one f*cking reason. It’s to remind you b*tches that this is my f*cking show. This is my time. I didn’t talk my way here. I earned my way here.”

Moments later, Ferguson and Fabricio Werdum have an ugly confrontation that nearly gets out of hand. Afterward, it’s a few verbal cheap shots about Werdum before Ferguson is back to talking business.

“It doesn’t matter who steps in front of me,” Ferguson says. “I don’t look past them, I look through them. Even with my glasses on I can see through these fake-ass b*tches.”

There’s no arguing Ferguson (22-3 MMA, 12-1 UFC) has earned this title shot. Including his 2011 win in “The Ultimate Fighter 13” final, he’s lost just once and finds himself on a nine-fight winning streak as he prepares for Lee (16-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC).

It’s that preparation that Ferguson is proud of and hammers home when he answers questions.

“I’m not bougie one f*cking bit,” Ferguson said. “This whole entire trip, all I did was kick steel poles, beat the shit out of myself and really push myself to the limit.”

“What I did up there in Big Bear mountain was incredible,” he added. “The reason I’m so hard-nosed is because the shit I did.”

Ferguson and Lee will fight in a pay-per-view headliner for an interim belt next Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and they’ll do so with no guarantee of a unification bout with champion Conor McGregor, who seems more interested in a third Nate Diaz fight.

“Pieces of shit” is what Ferguson has to say about both fighters and the idea of a trilogy. Still, he doesn’t care what happens and remains focused on one thing only – taking care of business against Lee.

Ferguson, 33, is complimentary of the 25-year-old rising star. But don’t get it twisted. He intends on putting Lee in his place.

“Kevin Lee has got more heart than half these dudes in the top five. And that’s what I think about it. And since he’s got more heart, we’re going to go in there and give you guy a f*cking show. …

“He’s a very well rounded fighter. He’s an athlete. … (But) I know how to beat this kid. He’s mentally weak, like half the roster in the UFC.”

For more on UFC 216, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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