The Tony Ferguson track and dance doesn’t in any respect appear to be it should have a contented ending.
When Ferguson was booked to battle his fellow previous winner of The Final Fighter Michael Chiesa at UFC Abu Dhabi, it had MMA followers scratching their heads for a number of causes. After seven consecutive losses, UFC CEO Dana White admitted he needed to see the one-time interim light-weight champion name it a profession with many in settlement. His return reserving got here as a shock alone, however to have Nick Diaz initially on the cardboard as nicely and never combat Ferguson was perplexing. If both needed to combat anyone, pairing them collectively felt like essentially the most, if not solely, applicable choice.
After his efficiency in opposition to Chiesa this previous Saturday, Ferguson (25-11) admitted it was an incredible combat week, however he did really feel gradual and sluggish within the octagon. Due to this fact, he misplaced by submission for the third time in 4 fights when Chiesa scored the first-round rear-naked choke. It was Ferguson’s first combat at welterweight since his fourth-round guillotine loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 279 in September 2022
“I felt sick,” Ferguson laughed in his UFC Abu Dhabi post-fight scrum (h/t The Mac Life). “I threw up most likely like possibly three or 4 occasions being nervous as f*ck. I often don’t get nervous however within the again, I used to be type of yacking and dry-heaving, which was type of humorous how that works. That is the one sport that makes me do this. When it goes to some other factor, it’s type of attention-grabbing the way it goes. I feel greater than the rest as a result of I need to carry out to one of the best of my means out right here, and I actually didn’t.
“There’s numerous issues, clearly, I must work on however it’s all placing collectively. Clearly, getting in there and feeling extra comfy inside that octagon.”
Ferguson, 40, has been reluctant to retire all through his record-setting streak of losses in UFC. Even after eight in a row, and being in higher spirits seemingly because of a loss with no injury, Ferguson is noncommital on the thought. He’ll return to his household, speak along with his spouse, and assess from there.
“I do know when it should [be time],” Ferguson mentioned. “There’s numerous issues that I can and may’t do. I simply teamed again up with my boy Anthony Gonzalez from American Gymnasium. I felt this complete complete camp I had simply gotten again into sparring the place it was me placing myself again right into a staff. You haven’t any thought how onerous that’s for me to have the ability to do this.”
The change in preparation was one thing Ferguson was very pleased with at this stage and in a normal sense, he defined. “El Cucuy” has traditionally been fairly personal along with his internal circles and felt it “took balls” to confess assist was wanted by going again to having an “precise” staff for a combat once more.
One other combat feels inevitable for Ferguson. In the end, it’s only a matter of whether or not or not the UFC desires to carry onto the perennial fan-favorite till the wheels fall even farther off. Nonetheless, Outdoors of MMA, Ferguson lightened up when pondering wrestling or grappling-type competitions.
“What we do is we go do one thing else,” Ferguson answered when requested if the UFC would let him go. “I’m gonna be actual, if these followers on the market are keen sufficient to come back out right here and fly and spend 1000’s of {dollars} to come back watch me compete someplace, I guaran-f*cking-tee you they’re gonna comply with me someplace. That’s the humblest factor I can f*cking say as a result of regardless of the place I’m at, it doesn’t matter what I’m doing, I’m gonna get higher and higher and higher and higher. I really feel like these gray hairs proper right here with the blonde hair are type of slowly fading away, too. So, I may need to do one thing totally different.”
Argument. Dana White responds to guage denying antitrust lawsuit settlement: ‘This seems very, very personal’
Plans. Sean O’Malley ‘might go whoop’ Umar Nurmagomedov subsequent simply to make Conor McGregor ‘jealous’
Critic. Umar Nurmagomedov ‘not happy’ with Cory Sandhagen win, reveals recommendation Khabib gave him
Rivals. Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts to Tony Ferguson possibly retiring after eighth straight UFC loss
Matchmaking. Jasmine Jasudavicius open to Erin Blanchfield combat subsequent: ‘Why not? Her team already studied to fight me’
Aftermath. Andre Fili was ‘incredibly unhappy’ after his Cub Swanson win: ‘I felt ashamed’
UFC Abu Dhabi Submit Present.
Full fights.
Poatan tats.
Burns’ Struggle Camp.
Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover one among my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re at the moment actually into. I’ll choose one of the best one alongside my day by day alternative and provide you with a shoutout! You too can share within the feedback beneath — these are simply more durable to sift via typically!
Working to the following one.
Fact…
Group.
Another camp.
Illustration.
Fisherman.
Sequence.
lol I did what u couldn’t do.. I completed the job I’ll ship you bullys blueprint pdf.. simply enter your e mail and bank card data https://t.co/6aOwHdNnaU
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 2, 2024
Wild.
Sheesh.
Double sheesh.
Triple sheesh.
Quadruple sheesh.
Reactions.
Kyle Nelson (16-5-1) vs. Steve Garcia (16-5); UFC Vegas 97, Sept. 7
Rob Font (20-8) vs. Kyler Phillips (12-2); UFC Vegas 99, Oct. 19
Geoff Neal (15-6) vs. Rafael Dos Anjos (32-16); UFC 308, Oct. 26
Robert Whittaker (26-7) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (13-0); UFC 308, Oct. 26
Magomed Ankalaev (19-1-1, 1 NC) vs. Aleksandar Rakic (14-4); UFC 308, Oct. 26
Ciryl Gane (12-2) vs. Alexander Volkov (38-10); UFC 308, Oct. 26
Ilia Topuria (15-0) vs. Max Holloway (26-7); UFC 308, Oct. 26
Marcos Rogério de Lima (22-9-1) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (12-5); UFC 308, Oct. 26
I respect Ferguson’s self-determination immensely. There’s acquired to be a realization sooner or later, although. Simpler mentioned than performed, I suppose.
Additionally, UFC 308 is wanting mighty attractive.
Thanks for studying!
Final Week’s Outcomes:
Friday: 75% of 438 complete votes answered “Michael Chiesa” when requested, “Who wins this weekend?” Chiesa defeated Tony Ferguson by way of first-round submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:44.
Thursday: 35% of 328 complete votes answered “Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo” when requested, “Who wins this weekend?” Umar Nurmagomedov defeated Sandhagen by way of unanimous resolution (50–45, 49–46, 49–46) in UFC Abu Dhabi’s important occasion. Figueiredo defeated Marlon “Chito” Vera by way of unanimous resolution (29–28, 29–28, 30–27).
Wednesday: 57% of 565 complete votes answered “No” when requested, “Will Israel Adesanya retire if he loses at UFC 305?”
Tuesday: 51% of 449 complete votes answered “Sean O’Malley” when requested, “Who would win (regardless of weight class)?”
Monday: 71% of 275 complete votes answered “No” when requested, “Will the UFC make an interim lightweight title if Islam Makhachev can’t defend before the end of 2024?”
Immediately’s exit ballot:
Ballot
Is there any matchup in any kind of fight sport that you simply’re inquisitive about seeing Tony Ferguson in?
Should you discover one thing you’d prefer to see within the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him find out about it. Additionally, comply with MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
Trending Merchandise
