With his back against the wall, Tony Ferguson was unable to recapture the magic he had at UFC on ABC 7. Subsequently, Michael Chiesa got the upper hand and handed him a record-setting loss at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The promotion’s 19th visit to Abu Dhabi saw the veteran lightweight go up to 170 and not quite make it. However, ‘El Cucuy’ isn’t planning to end the domination any soon.
After his UFC on ABC 7 main card first-round submission loss to Michael Chiesa, the no-brainer felt like to call it quits. With his future in limbo, he partially called a semi-retirement in his post-fight speech with Daniel Cormier. Top brass even gave Ferguson a slot at the post-fight news conference on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. However, the 40-year veteran does not wish to leave his fans behind.
If [UFC doesn’t want me], then we go figure out something else…If those fans out there are willing to spend thousands of dollars and fly and come watch me compete somewhere, I guaran-fu*king-tee you they’re going to follow me somewhere. And that’s the humblest thing I can fu*king say…no matter where I’m at, I’m going to get better and better and better.
Tony Ferguson during UFC on ABC 7 post-fight conference interviews; H/T: The MacLife (@TheMacLife)
‘El Cucuy’ said he needed to up his game and would move on if UFC didn’t bring him back on an eight-fight skid. Ferguson still technically holds a winning record in the UFC. However, his getting back into the sparring mold did not reflect that. Unlike the ‘El Cucuy’ of old, he couldn’t stuff takedowns or get his striking into rhythm.
Tony Ferguson says if Dana White decides that tonight was his last fight in the UFC, he would consider fighting somewhere else:
“If those fans out there are willing enough to come out here… I guarantee you they’re going to follow me somewhere…
I’m gonna get better, and… pic.twitter.com/kbtiWEuP8r
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 3, 2024
Ferguson – at one point the unheralded king at the 155-pound mark, has earned sympathies even from prime rivals. Michael Chiesa was on a three-fight losing streak. Yet ‘Maverick’ yielding his mic time to Tony Ferguson for a possible retirement speech gave out a strong visual that the fighter is at the tail end. However, Ferguson is unrelenting. It’d be interesting to see where he goes from here.
UFC on ABC 7 Post-fight facts: GOATs carry Boats
Rather than calling it quits – Ferguson (26-11 MMA, 16-9 UFC) will go through the potential sting of top brass saying it. But ‘El Cucuy’ is more unhinged than ever and remains ready to do it at any other platform. Dana White already urged retirement multiple times now.
Tony Ferguson eager to return to wrestling roots (Source: Instagram)While initially opposed to such an idea, Ferguson has now kept the door open on a possible semi-retirement. UFC on ABC 7 in Abu Dhabi was just Ferguson’s second fight outside the U.S. The odds were heavily against him facing the ‘Maverick.’ Michael Chiesa made quick work of Tony Ferguson, defeating him via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round.
Ferguson’s eight-fight UFC losing skid is the longest in UFC history. Even surpassing B.J. Penn, he now hasn’t won a scrap since 2019. Meanwhile, Chiesa’s six submission victories via rear-naked choke in UFC competition is the second most ever. Chiesa has earned seven of his 12 UFC victories by submission. He has scored at least one takedown against 16 of his 18 UFC opponents. Tony Ferguson was on the hard pedal from the get-go.
I have a lot of gold medals…I have some silver, and I have some bronze, and now I have a couple losses. I’ve got a couple records. I’ve got Performance of the Nights. I’ve got finishes of the nights…Who the fuk else is going to do that? Only a BOAT, dog. That’s the only sht. GOATs come and go, and BOATs – they float. And I think that’s why a lot of you fans like me…
Tony Ferguson doubles down on proverbial GOAT talk (H/T: The MacLife)
Despite the hard loss to the 5-3 improving fighter and dubious stats, Ferguson says he misses wearing wrestling shoes. Bareknuckle boxers in the BKFC must wear wrestling or boxing shoes during fights. To wit, this could be a stylistic transition if the UFC record books say Ferguson is not fit for the scrap anymore. Nevertheless, he is ready to lace up again.
