Former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson will make his return to the Octagon against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone next month at UFC 238 on June 8 in Chicago, Illinois, per a recent report by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani (shown below).
So much for the much-anticipated showdown between Cerrone and the recently-retired Conor McGregor.
Tony Ferguson vs. Donald Cerrone is set for UFC 238 June 8 in Chicago, sources told @bokamotoESPN and I.
Yes, that’s the card in a month. UFC felt 238 was a bit thin and wanted to beef it up with Ferguson’s return.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 10, 2019
Ferguson, 35, was recently cleared to return to action after being sidelined due to personal issues at home. The former Ultimate Fighter winner has won his last 11 Octagon appearances, including an interim title fight against Kevin Lee back in 2017 (Ferguson was later stripped after blowing his knee out), so his return to the exciting lightweight division is a welcomed sight for fight fans. Ferguson is coming off a TKO win over Anthony Pettis back at UFC 229 last October and would likely get the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier with a win over “Cowboy.”
Cerrone, 36, is coming off a masterful performance against Al Iaquinta last weekend at UFC on ESPN+ 9 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The UFC veteran previously defeated Alexander Hernandez via TKO back in January in his return to 155 pounds following an up-and-down stint at welterweight. “Cowboy” has seemed extra motivated since becoming a father last year and it has shown in his preparation and execution inside of the cage. The current record holder for most UFC wins and finishes will have another chance to lock down a UFC title shot should he defeat “El Cucuy” next month in Chi-Town.
UFC 238, which will go down live on ESPN+ PPV from inside the United Center, is set to feature a main event bantamweight title fight between current UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo and top contender Marlon Moraes.
For more UFC 238 fight card news click here.