Tony Ferguson isn’t going wherever.
The person often known as “El Cucuy” turned 40 years outdated this month and has by no means proven curiosity in hanging up the gloves. An all-time entertainer inside the light-weight division, Ferguson has performed nearly the whole lot except for holding an undisputed title. That, sadly, consists of some unhealthy with the nice.
Ferguson’s final battle noticed him tie the file for the longest dropping streak in UFC historical past alongside former two-division champion BJ Penn at seven. In contrast to the three losses that got here earlier than his most up-to-date battle, Ferguson made it to the judges’ scorecards in opposition to rising light-weight prospect Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 in December. Competitors-wise, it was a good step down from Bobby Green, whom he fought straight prior. Nonetheless, Ferguson plans to maintain at it like solely he is aware of how.
“I acquired trophies, I acquired probably the most win file, I acquired the loss file, I acquired the Struggle of the Evening, Struggle of the 12 months, I acquired all these accolades and facet quests f****** accomplished,” Ferguson laughed when talking on JAXXON PODCAST. “So, it was exhausting to determine and return and play the sport once more to determine what the f*** you’re in search of, however there may be at all times one thing within the recreation you could work out or get higher with. That’s the place I’m at with this and it’s cool as a result of I wanted the slap within the face with these two surgical procedures. I had that slap within the face with my LCL and I got here again and I f***** up [Anthony] Pettis however I did it and I fought on the cardboard the place they stripped me of my belt however they need to have stripped Conor [McGregor] then I might have been champion.
“I’m already a f****** Corridor of Famer, man. They already f****** comprehend it. I’m not retiring. Any time I get damage, I come again with a f****** vengeance as a result of like I mentioned, you get that slap within the face to be able to do it as a result of the one individual that’s gonna do it for us is ourselves. No one’s gonna inform us what the f*** to do.”
UFC 238 was the final occasion Ferguson acquired his hand raised at when he defeated Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone proper earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2019. The win was his twelfth straight, making the entire distinction of his present skid all of the extra surprising.
The battle that kicked off Ferguson’s present stretch was speculated to be his long-awaited — cursed — matchup with the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov. As a substitute, the worldwide scenario pressured the change and led to a Justin Gaethje interim title tilt, the second of Ferguson’s profession after first profitable a placeholder strap in opposition to Kevin Lee in October 2017.
In the end, so long as Ferguson is bodily able to making the stroll, he’ll.
“I’m going to battle till the wheels fall off,” Ferguson mentioned. “F*** retiring, dude. Should you’re a competitor for the longest time — I’m a three-sport athlete. I wished to return and play professional ball. I wished to go and do one other f****** factor. I wished to do all this s*** as a result of I’m that man.
“I’m not saying I acquired burned out, however I acquired burned out with MMA. Pandemic, my enterprise was the one one which didn’t shut. I stored sports activities going, dude. Not one different motherf****** put the belt on the road to maintain sports activities going. B****s from Khabib’s camp ran again house to f****** mommy. Conor was telling all people to remain inside. My ass was sitting out right here f****** being the one f****** automobile taking place seventeenth avenue doing all this s***.”
Choice. Sean O’Malley concedes to fan pushback, declares Merab Dvalishvili subsequent after UFC 299
Rank. Alex Pereira: Jamahal Hill isn’t the second-best — or even third-best — mild heavyweight in UFC
Plan. Francis Ngannou expected to face Ryan Bader vs. Renan Ferreira winner in PFL debut
Contender. Merab Dvalishvili assured UFC gives him title shot next, addresses Henry Cejudo’s future
Model. Brian Ortega addresses Alexander Volkanovski’s surprising loss: ‘It didn’t seem like it was the same Volk’
Success. Oban Elliott on assembly Chael Sonnen and CM Punk after first UFC win: ‘I literally am living the dream’
Odds. Alex Pereira opens as slight favorite over Jamahal Hill in UFC 300 most important occasion
Applause. Anthony Hernandez says Mario Lopez spurred on stylish submission win over Roman Lopylov at UFC 298
GOAT. Laura Sanko: Alexander Volkanovski ‘still the greatest featherweight of all-time’ regardless of UFC 298 title loss
Warmth. Ian Machado Garry: ‘I’ll drag Colby in entrance of Trump, and I’ll beat the mouth off him’
Between the Hyperlinks.
The Actual Struggle.
Ortega’s UFC finishes.
Prime finishes from UFC Mexico fighters.
Free battle.
PFL vs. Bellator Struggle Week.
Tom and Eddie.
Zombie Journey 3.
Britain’s greatest sandwich.
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses Brian Ortega’s intriguing return at UFC Mexico City, how Merab Dvalishvili acquired himself over.
Blessed categorical.
Acquired some good ones.
Thoughts change.
Sean O’Malley says he rewatched Merab vs Henry and doesn’t need to battle Ilia Topuria anymore.
He says he thought the followers would need him vs Ilia, however since they need him to battle Merab he says that’s subsequent.
“After I battle Merab, I’m knocking that dude out. He’s sloppy. I’m… pic.twitter.com/cUoueP06oA
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 22, 2024
Mountain man.
Arrival.
This has been a dream and objective of mine since 2001. To lastly be right here and stroll the halls of the @ufc Efficiency Institute in Mexico Metropolis is a monumental second within the historical past of our sport. The impression this facility could have on Mexico, in addition to, each Central and South America… pic.twitter.com/DZyhLikXkA
— danawhite (@danawhite) February 23, 2024
Assembly legends.
Agree?
Hmm.
They. Are. All. The. Similar.
Royalty.
Champ.
Tabatha Ricci (9-2) vs. Tecia Torres (13-6); UFC Vegas 92, Could 11
Tamires Vidal (7-2) vs. Hailey Cowan (7-3); UFC Occasion, Could 18
Luana Pinheiro (11-2) vs. Angela Hill (16-13); UFC Occasion, Could 18
Properly, now it simply comes down as to whether or not the UFC provides Ferguson any extra fights.
Glad Friday, gang. Have an awesome weekend. Thanks for studying!
Ballot
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