Ferguson is asking his fans to stick with him as he works through a seven fight losing streak.
It was another tough night for Tony Ferguson at UFC 296.
The former interim UFC lightweight champion dropped to 0-7 with a decision loss to Paddy Pimblett. Not only did Pimblett win, he skunked Ferguson 30-27 on all three judges’ scorecards. The Liverpudlian took it to “El Cucuy” in the first round, knocking Tony down. Paddy would gas in the later rounds, but would take Ferguson down to kill time.
Ferguson, as he’s been known to do, seemed comfortable on his back and lost rounds two and three there.
Tony Ferguson’s first message to fans since dropping a decision to Paddy Pimblett at #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/8ouMRuSIM6
— Ryan Harkness (@Ryan_Harkness) December 18, 2023
This wasn’t supposed to be the performance we’d see from the man who once went 12-0 in the toughest division in the promotion. Ferguson had brought in motivational influencer David Goggins to help him reset his head. But once in the cage, it was the same slow and listless Ferguson we saw. We may keep seeing that, because there was no hint of retirement in Tony’s first message following the defeat.
“Love my fans & supporters,” Ferguson wrote on Instagram Sunday night. “You all are f—in’ fire. Met lots of you tonight, keep the faith MF’s. One foot in front of the other b—es, remember what I said crew – Champ.”
It was easy to be a fan of Ferguson back during his epic undefeated streak. Now that he’s tied B.J. Penn for most losses in a row, it’s getting more difficult. Are the true fans keeping the faith, or calling on a clearly washed Ferguson to retire and avoid more damage? How many more fights will it take before it becomes clear to all that the old Tony isn’t coming back?
Time comes for every fighter, and it has come for Tony Ferguson at 39 years of age.