After suffering a freak injury prior to his scheduled UFC 223 interim Lightweight title bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov that canceled the pairing for a staggering fourth time, Tony Ferguson seems to be nearing a return to mixed martial arts (MMA) action. And according to “El Cucuy” — who recently teased the possibility on social media — it could happen this year at UFC 229, which takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Oct. 6, 2018, after almost one year away from the fight game.
And he even dropped some hints as to his opponent could be.
“I’m Not Weird I’m Limited Edition” My Collaboration w/ @Topps Now All We Need Is Some Bubblegum To Go With This Asswhoopin’ I’m ‘Bout To Dish At #ufc229 Waiting On Opponent, Probly Callin’ Pterodactyls After Finding Out Who He’s Fighting Next, I Owe Him One. pic.twitter.com/fz6fiTAoqY
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) August 20, 2018
Of course, UFC 229 is scheduled to feature a much-anticipated 155-pound title fight between reigning division champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and ex-division king, Conor McGregor, who will be making his own return to the MMA scene after nearly two years away.
It makes sense to have Ferguson compete at the same event, possibly to serve as a backup plan in case either Khabib or McGregor fail to make it to the title fight. And as history has shown, it’s a big possibility.
Ferguson hasn’t competed since defeating Kevin Lee in Oct. 2017 for the interim title, choking him out in the third round via triangle choke. The win was Ferguson’s tenth in a row dating back to 2013. Furthermore, “El Cucuy” hasn’t tasted defeat since coming up short against Michael Johnson in 2012.
As far as his potential opponent based on his hints, I’m not even going to venture a guess as to who it could be. But, there is one particular former champion who is obsessed with dinosaurs.
#JustSayin.