Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, and Paddy Pimblett, among others, got to shine. A thunderous kick here, a unanimous decision there; it’s been tough for Tony Ferguson. ‘El Cucuy’ once dominated the lightweight division. However, it’s been a tough slate dating back to May 2020. Now, he extends his loss streak even further in a UFC on ABC 7 main card loss to Michael Chiesa.
Ferguson made history in the worst way Saturday when his losing streak reached an octagon record eight fights. All courtesy of Michael Chiesa. Ferguson, who has been urged to retire, removed a glove and left it in the cage. It was his record-tying eighth straight UFC loss, but the veteran leaves the door open for a possible return.
I know I could have did better, I’ve got to give it to Michael. He was just on point with that hook…I don’t want to retire…I really don’t but I love the UFC and I don’t want to go anywhere else. So I’m not going to put both gloves down. I’m going to put one and I’m going to keep the other one just in case.
Tony Ferguson during UFC on ABC 7 octagon interview; H/T: SBNation Network; 🎥: @ufc
The 40-year-old took center of the stage while Chiesa circled around. Chiesa opened up with some wild strikes by targeting each other out from southpaw. Ferguson answered with leg kicks and separation. Halfway through the opening frame, ‘Maverick’ closed the distance and pushed him to the periphery, taking his back.
Once he got to loop the legs around Ferguson on his back, it was all but over! The welterweight return saw his stunning career slide hit a new low as Chiesa defeated him via a rear-naked choke. Ahead of fight night, Ferguson had said that he got back to sparring and old ways. Nevertheless, he could not just capitalize on the slick pace of the old “Tony Ferguson.” As such, the heartbreaking moment has gone utterly viral.
Fans and MMA pros react to Tony Ferguson’s heartfelt hint at retirement
Tony Ferguson was already facing a dubious record going into the UFC on ABC 7 main card scrap. El Cucuy was once riding high on a 12-fight winning streak. Now, he surpasses B.J. Penn for the most consecutive defeats after what happened at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Fans react to Tony Ferguson’s record-setting loss to Michael Chiesa (Source: es.agfight.com/X)Dana White had already urged him to retire. However, Ferguson has stumped down on such an idea. The once uncrowned king at 155 pounds had prime wrestling and dominated the lightweight division. No one could easily put Ferguson down let alone submit him. Now, it is his third submission loss in the last seven-fights. Check out how fans reacted on social media.
Michael Chiesa submits Tony Ferguson in Round 1 at #UFCAbuDhabi.
Ferguson’s eight-fight UFC losing skid now stands alone for the longest in company history.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) August 3, 2024
Michael Chiesa submits Tony Ferguson in the first round in what I expect to be Ferguson’s final UFC bout.
Much love to Tony on his UFC run. One of the more interesting characters we’ve seen in the sport.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 3, 2024
One of the best to ever do it in the lightweight division.
I hope people will remember the legend of “El Cucuy” in generations to come.
One of a kind.
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) August 3, 2024
That was so classy of Chiesa to give Tony Ferguson the floor.
Even after breaking a losing streak where he hasn’t had mic time in the octagon for awhile, he gave Tony his moment.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 3, 2024
Tony Ferguson is the type of guy to take his gloves off in the cage, leave one and keep one after eight losses in a row. What a Tony move lol. #UFCAbuDhabi
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) August 3, 2024
not fair restart and make it where Chiesa can’t use his arms
— Connoisseur of Combat (@ConOfCombat) August 3, 2024
After previewing his class act, many fans and pundits have subsequently lauded Michael Chiesa. With a combo of injuries and a current three-fight skid, he has not had mic time in quite a while, yet his giving the nod to Ferguson earned him respect.
Going into UFC on ABC 7, many hoped for a prime Ferguson run to shoot off again. However, as a prominent reaction subsequently states, it was just “Mostly pain and sadness.” Prominent peers like Henry Cejudo and Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira have also commented. The future is uncertain for Tony Ferguson. Yet, his throwing in just one glove after eight losses is the most “Ferguson thing” to do.
