Tony Ferguson hasn’t won a fight in over five years.
For some context, what was going on in June 2019? Henry Cejudo was about to win his second UFC title. Alex Pereira wasn’t even a Glory double champion yet, while Ilia Topuria was more than a year away from signing to the UFC roster. Neither Alexander Volkanovski nor Israel Adesanya’s title reigns had begun.
COVID-19 was still a plague of the future! Consider, for a moment, how much your own life has changed in the last five years. Marriage, children, new job(s), new home(s) — likely many readers have undergone some significant life events in that time.
All the while, “El Cucuy” has been losing fights.
We talk about fighters getting old over night often enough, but it’s rare we can name the exact date. For Fergie fans, May 9, 2020 is a date that lives on in infamy. Hampered by the awful decision to cut weight twice, Ferguson marched to the cage and was thoroughly abused by Justin Gaethje for five rounds. He was knocked senseless and kicked to pieces, and his legendary 12-fight win streak came to an end.
Since then, Ferguson has hardly won a round. Next up, Charles Oliveira steamrolled him, but “Do Bronx” became champion, so that’s understandable. Beneil Dariush and Michael Chandler? Not quite the same level but elite Lightweight contenders all the same. While a four-fight losing streak is never good, the large majority of the current Lightweight division goes 0-4 against those names even right now.
The impromptu Nate Diaz fight is really where all hope died. Ferguson found himself up at 170 lbs. for who knows what reason, originally scheduled to get pummeled by Chinese powerhouse Li Jingliang. He was given a gift with the Diaz shuffle, and “El Cucuy” still fell apart. In a very winnable fight, Ferguson tumbled into a guillotine choke and was submitted for the first time in 13 years.
That probably should have been the end, but again, four of those five losses came to the best 155-pounds has to offer. Another chance at Lightweight was reasonable. A second submission loss to noted boxer Bobby Green, however, was yet another indication that it was time to cut Ferguson loose and encourage his retirement.
Instead, UFC opted to sacrifice “El Cucuy” to Paddy Pimblett, the ol’ build a young star with an old name trick. Nobody fell for it really, but Ferguson still ate a bunch of hard punches from the beefed up “Baddy.” His losing streak grew to seven, tying Lightweight legend BJ Penn for the longest in UFC history.
Somehow, the story isn’t over yet.
Ferguson returns — yet again! — this weekend on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi against struggling submission ace Michael Chiesa. It’s good that “Maverick” is at least also losing fights, but their situations are not the same. Chiesa lost to three straight ranked Welterweights, had some good moments, and has generally managed to avoid damage throughout his UFC career. There should still be tread left on those much larger tires, which is the reason he’s a 6-1 favorite.
Somehow, Ferguson has created a selling point for each attempt to break the losing streak. Some past examples include: Ferguson actually wants to win this time, he actually trained for this fight, he’s back at his proper Lightweight class again, or he recruited David Goggins (to disastrous effect).
This time around, Ferguson’s narrative is that he’s sparring again and not killing himself to make weight. Apparently, that’s enough. Despite absolutely nobody being convinced that Ferguson has a chance this weekend, UFC is sold and will let him set the record for most consecutive defeats. If he wins a round or lands a good shot at some point, maybe there will even be a ninth?
His longterm health or legacy is not in consideration.
Each time Ferguson limps to the Octagon and gets mauled, everyone collectively has seen enough. Ferguson’s back has been to the wall so long its left a permanent imprint on the paint. This show has grown old and bitter. The five stages of grief have already been endured by his fanbase, and we’re ready to move on. This UFC Abu Dhabi fight doesn’t improve the card and doesn’t need to happen.
Instead, a 40 year old with no knees and a history of mental illness will take more damage and land an unfortunate spot in UFC statistic history.
Who wants this?