Tag: Tony Ferguson

John McCarthy says Michael Chandler is Cooked: ‘He’s Hit Tony Ferguson Status’

John McCarthy says Michael Chandler is Cooked: 'He's Hit Tony Ferguson Status'Former UFC referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy thinks Michael Chandler has finally hit Tony Ferguson status. After sitting on the…

John McCarthy says Michael Chandler is Cooked: 'He's Hit Tony Ferguson Status'

Former UFC referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy thinks Michael Chandler has finally hit Tony Ferguson status.

After sitting on the sidelines for two years waiting for a fight that never came to fruition, Chandler returned to the Octagon at UFC 309 for a rematch with former lightweight world champion Charles Oliveira. Despite a valiant effort and an electrifying fifth round, Chandler came up short on the scorecards.

Michael Chandler

With the loss, Chandler has lost four of his last five under the UFC banner with his only win during that run coming against Ferguson at UFC 274.

Looking back on the ex-Bellator titleholder’s performance in MSG, McCarthy suggested that Chandler’s career is on a downward trajectory, similar to that of ‘El Cucuy’ who infamously lost eight straight before being shown the door earlier this year.

“Michael Chandler has hit Tony Ferguson status — just being honest … absolutely,” McCarthy said in a recent episode of his WEIGHING IN podcast with Josh Thomson. “Who’s he going to beat? He looked slow. You cannot look slow in the lightweight division. You’re going to die, and he got outwrestled by a jiu-jitsu guy” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Where does Michael Chandler go from here?

Where Chandler goes from here is anyone’s guess.

Unfortunately, ‘Iron’ wasted a large chunk of his time waiting for a fight with Conor McGregor that, in all honestly, was never going to happen.

Michael Chandler

Of course, that didn’t stop Chandler from calling out the Irishman following his latest loss, but we’ve got a feeling the UFC won’t be itching to book McGregor anytime soon after he was found liable for the 2018 rape of a woman inside a Dublin hotel.

With a losing record and rematches against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje unlikely, McCarthy doesn’t quite know where Chandler fits in one of the UFC’s most talent-rich divisions.

“Dustin [Poirier] doesn’t want to fight him again because of the same things that he f*cking ended up doing in the Oliveira fight,” McCarthy said. “Now I always sit there and say, ‘If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying,’ but don’t sit there and f*cking tell me that he didn’t hit him to the back of the head.

“I don’t give a f*ck if your fist is going on the other side of his ear when your forearm is hitting him to the back of the head, it’s the f*cking back of the head. … I’m not saying he’s got seven losses in a row (like Ferguson) — I’m saying he’s on the same path as Tony Ferguson.”

Michael Chandler

John McCarthy says Michael Chandler is Cooked: ‘He’s Hit Tony Ferguson Status’

John McCarthy says Michael Chandler is Cooked: 'He's Hit Tony Ferguson Status'Former UFC referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy thinks Michael Chandler has finally hit Tony Ferguson status. After sitting on the…

John McCarthy says Michael Chandler is Cooked: 'He's Hit Tony Ferguson Status'

Former UFC referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy thinks Michael Chandler has finally hit Tony Ferguson status.

After sitting on the sidelines for two years waiting for a fight that never came to fruition, Chandler returned to the Octagon at UFC 309 for a rematch with former lightweight world champion Charles Oliveira. Despite a valiant effort and an electrifying fifth round, Chandler came up short on the scorecards.

Michael Chandler

With the loss, Chandler has lost four of his last five under the UFC banner with his only win during that run coming against Ferguson at UFC 274.

Looking back on the ex-Bellator titleholder’s performance in MSG, McCarthy suggested that Chandler’s career is on a downward trajectory, similar to that of ‘El Cucuy’ who infamously lost eight straight before being shown the door earlier this year.

“Michael Chandler has hit Tony Ferguson status — just being honest … absolutely,” McCarthy said in a recent episode of his WEIGHING IN podcast with Josh Thomson. “Who’s he going to beat? He looked slow. You cannot look slow in the lightweight division. You’re going to die, and he got outwrestled by a jiu-jitsu guy” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Where does Michael Chandler go from here?

Where Chandler goes from here is anyone’s guess.

Unfortunately, ‘Iron’ wasted a large chunk of his time waiting for a fight with Conor McGregor that, in all honestly, was never going to happen.

Michael Chandler

Of course, that didn’t stop Chandler from calling out the Irishman following his latest loss, but we’ve got a feeling the UFC won’t be itching to book McGregor anytime soon after he was found liable for the 2018 rape of a woman inside a Dublin hotel.

With a losing record and rematches against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje unlikely, McCarthy doesn’t quite know where Chandler fits in one of the UFC’s most talent-rich divisions.

“Dustin [Poirier] doesn’t want to fight him again because of the same things that he f*cking ended up doing in the Oliveira fight,” McCarthy said. “Now I always sit there and say, ‘If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying,’ but don’t sit there and f*cking tell me that he didn’t hit him to the back of the head.

“I don’t give a f*ck if your fist is going on the other side of his ear when your forearm is hitting him to the back of the head, it’s the f*cking back of the head. … I’m not saying he’s got seven losses in a row (like Ferguson) — I’m saying he’s on the same path as Tony Ferguson.”

Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler Compared With Tony Ferguson After Latest Loss: ‘Who’s He Going To Beat?’

Former MMA referee John McCarthy did not mince his words when analyzing UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler’s latest setback inside the Octagon. Chandler returned from a two-year layoff earlier this month, running it back with former champion Charles Oliveira in the co-main event of the UFC 309 pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden. After an unsuccessful […]

Former MMA referee John McCarthy did not mince his words when analyzing UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler’s latest setback inside the Octagon.

Chandler returned from a two-year layoff earlier this month, running it back with former champion Charles Oliveira in the co-main event of the UFC 309 pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden.

After an unsuccessful wait to share the cage with Conor McGregor, “Iron” finally moved on and set his sights on redemption opposite “Do Bronx,” who previously knocked him out in 2021.

But the former Bellator champion ultimately failed in that pursuit, suffering a lopsided unanimous decision defeat after five rounds of mostly dominance from Oliveira in New York City.

With the result, Chandler has now lost two straight and four of his six UFC fights. And that’s left one prominent figure in the sport giving a grim outlook on the 38-year-old’s status on MMA’s biggest stage.

During an episode of his Weighing In podcast alongside former UFC fighter Josh Thomson, McCarthy reflected on Chandler’s convincing defeat to Oliveira, which saw the Brazilian experience little adversity until a late surge from the American in round five.

The former referee and Bellator commentator compared him with another veteran fighter in Tony Ferguson, who has lost eight straight since his last victory in 2019.

“Michael Chandler has hit Tony Ferguson status. Just being honest,” McCarthy said. “Who’s he going to beat? He looked slow at times. You want to talk about looking slow, you cannot look slow in the lightweight division. You’re gonna die. And he got outwrestled by a jiu-jitsu guy.

“Michael Chandler got crushed. I mean, just crushed,” McCarthy continued. “The two years (away) showed that not only did Michael Chandler not improve as a fighter, but he declined, and he watched his career start to expire. … I like Michael Chandler as a person, and I think he’s great for the sport…(but) he’s calling out Conor McGregor after losing again — what the hell?! You can’t do that!”

Should Chandler get his wish in 2025, he may be departing the 155-pound division next time out.

During his post-fight Octagon interview, “Iron” once again called out McGregor despite his past failure to secure the lucrative fight. Should that finally come to fruition in the new year, it stands to reason that it would take place at welterweight.

Oliveira, meanwhile, has his eyes on regaining the ultimate prize. He’s widely expected to challenge the winner of Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan’s championship rematch, which is reportedly in the works for UFC 311 in Los Angeles early next year.

‘Going To End Up Like Bigfoot Silva’ – Fans React After Tony Ferguson Teases ‘Big Changes’ Amid Career Uncertainty

Former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson’s latest comments on social media have plenty of fans concerned. While once riding a record winning streak on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage and pointed to by some as the biggest threat to the great Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ferguson has experienced quite the fall from grace. “El Cucuy” now […]

Continue Reading ‘Going To End Up Like Bigfoot Silva’ – Fans React After Tony Ferguson Teases ‘Big Changes’ Amid Career Uncertainty at MMA News.

Former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson’s latest comments on social media have plenty of fans concerned.

While once riding a record winning streak on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage and pointed to by some as the biggest threat to the great Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ferguson has experienced quite the fall from grace.

“El Cucuy” now sits on the longest losing skid in UFC history, having lost eight straight fights since the start of 2020. The most recent addition to that torrid run came at the Abu Dhabi-held UFC Fight Night last month, where he was submitted in one round by Michael Chiesa.

In the initial aftermath, it appeared that a retirement branded long overdue by many was on its way. But Ferguson’s Octagon interview was a half-retirement at best, and his subsequent press conference suggested a return to the cage was likely.

Ferguson’s recent video on social media has only increased that conclusion among fans…

“Check this out, crew,” Ferguson began. “I have some very exciting news for you coming at you. I can’t really say too much right now, but there’s going to be some big changes going on. So make sure you guys stay tuned. Catch you later.”

While Ferguson didn’t directly mention the UFC or a fight, many connected the dots between his half-retirement in Abu Dhabi that appeared to be quickly backtracked and his promise of changes to suggest “El Cucuy” is likely referring to another outing in the cage.

UFC Fans React To Ferguson’s Incoming News: ‘Praying That CM Punk Is The Opponent…’

Members of the MMA community were quick to react to Ferguson’s teaser.

Suffice to say, the reactions were as expected, with many expressing worries should the “news” and “changes” the 40-year-old mentioned be an indication of his plan to continue his career as an active fighter.

As expected, the most prominent word throughout the comment section was ‘retire’.

Continue Reading ‘Going To End Up Like Bigfoot Silva’ – Fans React After Tony Ferguson Teases ‘Big Changes’ Amid Career Uncertainty at MMA News.

Khabib Nurmagomedov hits back at Tony Ferguson as rivalry reignites: ‘Leave the sport for young fighters’

Khabib Nurmagomedov hits back at Tony Ferguson as rivalry reignites: 'Leave the sport for young fighters'Amid a response from former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson earlier this week, former undisputed lightweight titleholder, Khabib Nurmagomedov…

Khabib Nurmagomedov hits back at Tony Ferguson as rivalry reignites: 'Leave the sport for young fighters'

Amid a response from former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson earlier this week, former undisputed lightweight titleholder, Khabib Nurmagomedov has urged the Oxnard native to leave combat sports to “young fighters” — in a jibe at his eight-fight losing streak.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight titleholder and Hall of Fame inductee under the banner of the UFC, most recently featured back in 2021 in his retirement outing — taking on common-foe, Justin Gaethje in a title unification pairing.

Khabib Nurmagomedov to have Ferrari seized by Russian government

Submitting the then-interim gold holder with a second round triangle choke, Khabib Nurmagomedov moved to 29-0 as a professional, before calling time on his illustrious career.

And this week, Nurmagomedov claimed that while he laments never fighting Ferguson, the Russian claimed a “lucky” punch would have been the veteran’s best shot at finishing him — leading to a fiery response from the Ultimate Fighter winner.

khabib 254

“”Lucky punch” now, was going to leave you alone, but ewe just couldn’t help it ya phat-phuhk,” Tony Ferguson posted on his official Instagram account. “What a f’kn puss-ee, coward like chicken keep hiding Khabieber 29-1. #ItsOnLikeDonkeyKongBiotch – champ -CSO- us mx #TiramisuTuesday commences until further notice, let ol’e fathead know what time it is crew.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov hits out at Tony Ferguson once more

However, hitting back at the veteran fan-favorite on his own official social media this week, Nurmagomedov urged Ferguson to leave fighting and let “young” combatants compete in his place.

Tony Ferguson responds to Khabib Nurmagomedov's latest jibe: 'Coward like chicken, keep hiding'

“You know what’s interesting, I didn’t say anything about you, people just post whatever they want on the internet and write that it’s Khabib,” Khabib Nurmagomedov posted on his official X account. “Enjoy your life and your family, leave this sport for the young fighters.”

Most recently suffering a record-setting eighth consecutive defeat, former interim lightweight champion, Ferguson dropped a dominant opening round rear-naked choke submission defeat to fellow veteran, Michael Chiesa in Abu Dhabi earlier this summer.

Khabib Nurmagomedov hits back at Tony Ferguson as rivalry reignites: ‘Leave the sport for young fighters’

Khabib Nurmagomedov hits back at Tony Ferguson as rivalry reignites: 'Leave the sport for young fighters'Amid a response from former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson earlier this week, former undisputed lightweight titleholder, Khabib Nurmagomedov…

Khabib Nurmagomedov hits back at Tony Ferguson as rivalry reignites: 'Leave the sport for young fighters'

Amid a response from former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson earlier this week, former undisputed lightweight titleholder, Khabib Nurmagomedov has urged the Oxnard native to leave combat sports to “young fighters” — in a jibe at his eight-fight losing streak.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight titleholder and Hall of Fame inductee under the banner of the UFC, most recently featured back in 2021 in his retirement outing — taking on common-foe, Justin Gaethje in a title unification pairing.

Khabib Nurmagomedov to have Ferrari seized by Russian government

Submitting the then-interim gold holder with a second round triangle choke, Khabib Nurmagomedov moved to 29-0 as a professional, before calling time on his illustrious career.

And this week, Nurmagomedov claimed that while he laments never fighting Ferguson, the Russian claimed a “lucky” punch would have been the veteran’s best shot at finishing him — leading to a fiery response from the Ultimate Fighter winner.

khabib 254

“”Lucky punch” now, was going to leave you alone, but ewe just couldn’t help it ya phat-phuhk,” Tony Ferguson posted on his official Instagram account. “What a f’kn puss-ee, coward like chicken keep hiding Khabieber 29-1. #ItsOnLikeDonkeyKongBiotch – champ -CSO- us mx #TiramisuTuesday commences until further notice, let ol’e fathead know what time it is crew.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov hits out at Tony Ferguson once more

However, hitting back at the veteran fan-favorite on his own official social media this week, Nurmagomedov urged Ferguson to leave fighting and let “young” combatants compete in his place.

Tony Ferguson responds to Khabib Nurmagomedov's latest jibe: 'Coward like chicken, keep hiding'

“You know what’s interesting, I didn’t say anything about you, people just post whatever they want on the internet and write that it’s Khabib,” Khabib Nurmagomedov posted on his official X account. “Enjoy your life and your family, leave this sport for the young fighters.”

Most recently suffering a record-setting eighth consecutive defeat, former interim lightweight champion, Ferguson dropped a dominant opening round rear-naked choke submission defeat to fellow veteran, Michael Chiesa in Abu Dhabi earlier this summer.