Tony Ferguson has issued a statement about his UFC 256 loss.
After previously winning 12 straight fights, Tony Ferguson now finds himself on a two-fight losing skid in 2020. The lightweight contender lost by late TKO to Justin Gaethje in May, and dropped a one-sided decision to Charles Oliveira at UFC 256 this past weekend. Both fights happened without a live crowd.
In his first public comments since the loss, Ferguson discussed how fighting during this pandemic era just hasn’t been the same for him, and how he needs to adjust better on his next bouts. The former interim lightweight champion spoke also gave an update on his injured elbow and vowed that he is “far from being retired.”
Read his full statement below, which is in typical El Cucuy capitalization and writing style.
My Crew No Excuses, I Felt Flat. I Went Out & Welcomed The Attack Instead Of Defend. The Warm Up Time In The Back for @UFC Hasn’t Been The Same Since Pre-COVID. Still No Excuses, Times Change & So Do People The Time From Hotel To UFC Apex Is Much More Condensed & The Aggressive Level We Needed Was Not Reached. My Fault.
After The Fight, We Were Checked By Doctors & Went Back To The Hotel. I Felt It Was In Order To Hit Pads/Spar Immediately Because The Fight Was Fresh In My Mind & Blood Circulation In My Arm Was Needed. I Really Needed To Figure Out What The F’n Problem Was From The Fight, Solution **Pre-Fight Time Management**
Chuck Was Looking Take My Back or Go For The Armbar As Soon As We Hit The Mat. Thus I Didn’t Worry About The Mount, Kid Was Slick But So Am I. I Was Looking For The Knockout Standing & D’arce From Bottom Position Once We Hit Jits Transitions. It Was Fun Fighting Against A Wetblanket (AKA “Heavy Pressure Opponent”) Mark My Words,That Scenario Won’t Happen Again. Period.
My Arm Is Aright, The Armbar Was Really Tight. The Thought Of My Son ArmandAnthony’s Ability To Be Double Jointed In His Elbow During That Sequence & My Mental Capacity To Endure Pain Got Me Through It. # Breathe # Mental TUFness. One ??I’m Beyond Grateful & Thankful For My Talents
I Have Learned So Much About Myself This Year & What My Purpose In Life Is. My Search For That Epic Word Called “greatness” Isn’t Over. Understand Crew We Are Far From Being Retired, So Message To My Haters *ShaBam*Shout Out To My Team I Put Together On Three Weeks Notice. We’re Still Green Boys Thanks For Not Deserting Me. (Team, We’re Barely Scratching The Surface To What We Can Truly Accomplish & For That I Say Amen).
It Was Great Making Weight & Being Around My Fight Fam For The Week. I Can’t Wait Til We Compete In Front Of A Big Loud Crowd Again, It’s Not The Same Without You All ??? Recovery Moad # Happy??Holidayze Crew Champ Shit Only™? Mi Gente “Never Give Up & Keep The Faith” Champ ?? -XTA- Hometeam # BecauseHashbrownsAreDelicious
Ferguson, who is turning 37 in February, dropped his overall record to 25-5 after these last two losses. Charles Oliveira improved to 30-8 (1 NC), and extended his impressive winning streak to eight fights.