Tag: Tony Ferguson

Michael Chiesa urges Tony Ferguson to retire after record UFC loss: ‘I hope he just stops’

Michael Chiesa urges Tony Ferguson to retire after record UFC loss: 'I hope he just stops'Off the back of his impressive opening round submission win over former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson – fellow…

Michael Chiesa urges Tony Ferguson to retire after record UFC loss: 'I hope he just stops'

Off the back of his impressive opening round submission win over former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson – fellow TUF winner, Michael Chiesa has urged the Oxnard native to finally shut the door on his faltering combat sports career.

Ferguson, a former interim lightweight champion and winner of The Ultimate Fighter at the welterweight limit, set an unwanted record earlier this month at UFC Abu Dhabi, suffering an eighth consecutive defeat in a rear-naked choke loss to the above-mentioned, Chiesa.

Tony Ferguson unsure on UFC retirement: 'I don't know anything else I can do'

And with the loss, Tony Ferguson, a one-time record-setting 12-fight winning streaker at the lightweight limit, surpassed former two-division champion, B.J. Penn as the fighter with the longest losing skid in the history of the organization.

Michael Chiesa urges Tony Ferguson to retire amid UFC Abu Dhabi loss

Weighing up his fighting future after claiming he had nothing else he could turn his hand to in life if he ended his combat sports career, Ferguson has been urged to nevertheless hang up his gloves once and for all by Chiesa.

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“I hope he (Tony Ferguson) just stops competing,” Michael Chiesa told BJ Penn. “If he wants to scratch that itch and compete, I’m sure there are a lot of Jiu-Jitsu promotions that would pay Tony a lot of money to grapple. I just don’t want to see him take any headshots anymore. That is speaking to a brother that I’m in the same fraternity with. Him and I both won The Ultimate Fighter, I say that with compassion.”

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“You can still make omney and compete in Jiu-Jitsu, I just don’t think it is a financial thing for Tony,” Chiesa explained. “I think he is a fierce competitor, the guy likes to compete, he is very athletic, I just don’t think he should take any shots anymore.”

And amid claims from Ferguson how he would seek booking in another promotion if UFC boss, Dana White decides to prevent him from fighting, Chiesa claims a move to another organization is not a good option either.

“…I’m pretty sure that will be the last time we see him in the UFC,” Chiesa said. “The only way you want to keep him in the UFC is to protect him from the people outside the UFC that are going to try and sign him.”

Michael Chiesa urges Tony Ferguson to retire after record UFC loss: ‘I hope he just stops’

Michael Chiesa urges Tony Ferguson to retire after record UFC loss: 'I hope he just stops'Off the back of his impressive opening round submission win over former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson – fellow…

Michael Chiesa urges Tony Ferguson to retire after record UFC loss: 'I hope he just stops'

Off the back of his impressive opening round submission win over former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson – fellow TUF winner, Michael Chiesa has urged the Oxnard native to finally shut the door on his faltering combat sports career.

Ferguson, a former interim lightweight champion and winner of The Ultimate Fighter at the welterweight limit, set an unwanted record earlier this month at UFC Abu Dhabi, suffering an eighth consecutive defeat in a rear-naked choke loss to the above-mentioned, Chiesa.

Tony Ferguson unsure on UFC retirement: 'I don't know anything else I can do'

And with the loss, Tony Ferguson, a one-time record-setting 12-fight winning streaker at the lightweight limit, surpassed former two-division champion, B.J. Penn as the fighter with the longest losing skid in the history of the organization.

Michael Chiesa urges Tony Ferguson to retire amid UFC Abu Dhabi loss

Weighing up his fighting future after claiming he had nothing else he could turn his hand to in life if he ended his combat sports career, Ferguson has been urged to nevertheless hang up his gloves once and for all by Chiesa.

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“I hope he (Tony Ferguson) just stops competing,” Michael Chiesa told BJ Penn. “If he wants to scratch that itch and compete, I’m sure there are a lot of Jiu-Jitsu promotions that would pay Tony a lot of money to grapple. I just don’t want to see him take any headshots anymore. That is speaking to a brother that I’m in the same fraternity with. Him and I both won The Ultimate Fighter, I say that with compassion.”

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“You can still make omney and compete in Jiu-Jitsu, I just don’t think it is a financial thing for Tony,” Chiesa explained. “I think he is a fierce competitor, the guy likes to compete, he is very athletic, I just don’t think he should take any shots anymore.”

And amid claims from Ferguson how he would seek booking in another promotion if UFC boss, Dana White decides to prevent him from fighting, Chiesa claims a move to another organization is not a good option either.

“…I’m pretty sure that will be the last time we see him in the UFC,” Chiesa said. “The only way you want to keep him in the UFC is to protect him from the people outside the UFC that are going to try and sign him.”

UFC star Islam Makhachev rips Tony Ferguson’s BJJ black belt: ‘They get a gift’

UFC star Islam Makhachev rips Tony Ferguson's BJJ black belt: 'They get a gift'Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has laid into a slew of contenders at the lightweight limit – including former…

UFC star Islam Makhachev rips Tony Ferguson's BJJ black belt: 'They get a gift'

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has laid into a slew of contenders at the lightweight limit – including former foe, Dustin Poirier, and ex-interim champion, Tony Ferguson – questioning their statuses as black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Makhachev, the current undisputed 155lbs gold holder and pound-for-pound number one, has been sidelined since he submitted the above-mentioned, Poirier at UFC 302, defending his crown with a fifth round D’Arce choke submission win in Newark.

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And expected to headline UFC 308 at the end of October, Islam Makhachev was ruled from a targeted return in Abu Dhabi, with an unspecified arm injury ruling him from a rematch fight with surging number one contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

Islam Makhachev rips Tony Ferguson’s status as a BJJ black belt

Seeing a title fight at the featherweight limit between the unbeaten, Ilia Topuria and the symbolic BMF champion, Max Holloway take place at UFC 308 in his place, Makhachev has hit out at supposed black belt grapplers in his division – including the previously mentioned, Ferguson – as well as promotional star, Paddy Pimblett. 

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“No, he (Tony Ferguson) don’t have [a] black belt,” Islam Makhachev said during an interview with Hosheh MMA. “He has a couple of things on the ground that he did with many fighters. But he is not a real black belt. I work with real black belts; it’s so tough. For the fighters, they get a gift. Some don’t deserve it.”

Setting an unwanted record in his most recent Octagon appearance at UFC Abu Dhabi this month, Ferguson suffered his eighth straight loss in the form of a first round rear-naked choke defeat to Michael Chiesa in the pair’s rescheduled pairing in the United Arab Emirates.

Tony Ferguson unsure on UFC retirement: 'I don't know anything else I can do'

Earlier this month to boot, Makhachev was also linked with a potential move to the middleweight limit in pursuit of a second title – with his coach backing him to be competitive as high as 185lbs. 

Recently Retired UFC Fighter Sympathizes With Tony Ferguson’s Struggles: ‘He’s Like A Cocaine Addict Trying To Reach That High Again’

One man with experience committing to an exit from active competition knows full well the difficulty that former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson is having amid an eight-fight skid. Ferguson fell to an unwanted record at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, with fellow veteran Michael Chiesa sending him to the […]

Continue Reading Recently Retired UFC Fighter Sympathizes With Tony Ferguson’s Struggles: ‘He’s Like A Cocaine Addict Trying To Reach That High Again’ at MMA News.

One man with experience committing to an exit from active competition knows full well the difficulty that former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson is having amid an eight-fight skid.

Ferguson fell to an unwanted record at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, with fellow veteran Michael Chiesa sending him to the longest run of defeats in the promotion’s history.

“El Cucuy” was finished inside the first round at the Etihad Arena, tapping out to a rear-naked choke after being comfortably taken down and offering little defense to the submission move.

In the aftermath, the 40-year-old initially appeared set to announce his retirement. But while the majority seemingly would have supported that move, the best they got was a half-retirement, and event that appeared to be quickly walked back in the aftermath.

Brown: Ferguson ‘Has To Accept’ His Time Has Gone

During the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Writer vs. The Fighter, recently retired welterweight Matt Brown gave his assessment of Ferguson’s current situation.

“The Immortal” brought his career to an end this year, having amassed the second most fights in the 170-pound division’s history and falling below only heavyweight powerhouse Derrick Lewis for knockouts.

Brown retired a year on from his previous appearance, a brutal KO victory over Court McGee. The result ensured he hung up the gloves off the back of a 2-1 record across his final three fights, all of which netted him performance bonuses.

The ship appears to have sailed when it comes to Ferguson retiring on a similarly strong run of form, and Brown thinks “El Cucuy” is simply chasing a “high” that will never come again.

“Look, when you lose eight in a row, it doesn’t matter where you’re at in your career…you should probably call it quits,” Brown said. “Something isn’t right. Whatever it is. If you lost your first eight or you lost your last eight. The problem is he had so many wins, he was interim champion, on like a 12-fight winning streak back in the day. So he’s like a cocaine addict trying to reach that high again. When you get eight (losses), it doesn’t matter. If he had lost eight fights in a row at the beginning of his career…he would have quit most likely. He would have been like, ‘Well, this definitely isn’t the sport for me, I lost eight fights in a row.’ But because he’s already had that high, he’s thinking I can get back to that.

“It’s like cocaine. It really is. That’s what walking into an Octagon and beating another man’s ass (feels like), especially the way Tony did where he just f*cking ripped people’s souls out of their bodies. That is a high you cannot get anywhere else, in any other way,” Brown continued. “But you can’t chase that. You’ve got to accept that was the season of your life, and it’s time to move onto a new season.”

Ferguson is yet to discuss his future since his comments inside the cage and at the post-fight press conference this past weekend. It remains to be seen whether he’ll attempt another outing inside the Octagon, and whether the UFC will even let him.

Continue Reading Recently Retired UFC Fighter Sympathizes With Tony Ferguson’s Struggles: ‘He’s Like A Cocaine Addict Trying To Reach That High Again’ at MMA News.

Tony Ferguson unsure on UFC retirement: ‘I don’t know anything else I can do’

Tony Ferguson unsure on UFC retirement: 'I don't know anything else I can do'Former interim UFC lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson may have half-retired from mixed martial arts competition earlier this week, however,…

Tony Ferguson unsure on UFC retirement: 'I don't know anything else I can do'

Former interim UFC lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson may have half-retired from mixed martial arts competition earlier this week, however, the Oxnard native is still weighing up his immediate future – questioning what he would do if he never competed again.

Ferguson, a former interim lightweight titleholder, suffered a record-setting eighth consecutive loss at UFC Abu Dhabi over the course of last weekend in the United Arab Emirates, dropping a first round rear-naked choke submission loss to Michael Chiesa in the pair’s rescheduled welterweight matchup.

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And laying a single glove on the Octagon canvas off the back of his loss, Ferguson would then retract talk of a potential retirement – claiming if UFC CEO, Dana White actually kept him on the sidelines, he would seek competition in another promotion.

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Tony Ferguson unsure on potential retirement

Furthermore, the veteran perennial lightweight challenger claimed he would be stuck in the mud following a potential retirement from combat sports, questioning what else he could turn his hand to.

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“I’m very honored to represent the UFC to the top of my abilities,” Tony Ferguson told Full Send MMA after UFC Abu Dhabi. “I say I’m not ready, I’m not done yet, man, but I don’t know what to say. Should have went out there, should have got the W, obviously. I’m an athlete, I don’t know anything else to do besides go out there and f*cking play.”

Without a win since 2019, former interim lightweight champion, capped off a record-setting winning run of 12 straight fights with a second round doctor’s stoppage TKO win over Hall of Fame inductee, Donald Cerrone.

In 2017, Ferguson scooped the interim lightweight crown with a triangle choke submission win over arch-rival, Kevin Lee in the pair’s heated grudge fight headliner.

Do you think Tony Ferguson should end his career in the UFC?

Chael Sonnen Doesn’t Hold Back With ‘Tough Love’ For Tony Ferguson: ‘This Needs To Stop!’

Chael Sonnen is evidently among those who think the decision surrounding Tony Ferguson’s UFC career should be taken out of his hands. Ferguson’s woes inside the Octagon continued at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, where he fell to a record eight-fight losing skid at the hands of fellow veteran Michael Chiesa. […]

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Doesn’t Hold Back With ‘Tough Love’ For Tony Ferguson: ‘This Needs To Stop!’ at MMA News.

Chael Sonnen is evidently among those who think the decision surrounding Tony Ferguson’s UFC career should be taken out of his hands.

Ferguson’s woes inside the Octagon continued at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, where he fell to a record eight-fight losing skid at the hands of fellow veteran Michael Chiesa.

While he made it to the scorecards against Paddy Pimblett last December, “El Cucuy’s” latest outing saw him finished before the first horn. Following a takedown, the ex-interim lightweight champion was submitted by way of a rear-naked choke.

After Chiesa surrendered his microphone time in the aftermath, it appeared a retirement announcement long branded overdue by many would finally arrive. But the best that those hopeful of the end got was a half-retirement, and even that appeared to be walked back moments later.

The continued rejection of clear retirement talk has left plenty of fans, fighters, and analysts concerned, and Sonnen had a problem with more than one aspect of Ferguson’s display in the Middle East…

Sonnen Critical Of Ferguson”s Performance, ‘Double Cross’ On The Mic

During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen gave his assessment of Ferguson’s latest setback inside the Octagon and refusal to confirm his retirement inside the cage.

“The American Gangster” expressed surprise at the 40-year-old’s inability to carry out basic grappling defense on the ground. And beyond just the fight, Sonnen accused Ferguson of double-crossing Chiesa by removing his gloves as if he was set to retire and not giving a “shine” to his opponent.

“At some point,. we’re gonna have to have some real tough love for Tony here. He just set a record, a record for the most (straight) losses in UFC history,” Sonnen said. “I don’t have a problem with a guy slowing down…I got a big problem with him getting taken down, getting his back taken — which is what you learn the very first day of jiu-jitsu — and not hand-fighting. … The fact that Tony’s in there almost like he’s working with him, like he’s making a technique video or something for the rear-naked choke, that’s a problem for me.

“Taking one glove of was kind of cool, until I heard why he’s doing it; because he wants another fight and isn’t sure the UFC’s gonna give it to him. Well, let me help you out there, I’m real sure the UFC’s not gonna give it to you,” Sonnen continued. “I’m a little bit surprised with the disconnect of mental awareness for what was going on, or even being handed a microphone that you don’t deserve and only got because you’re gonna retire, then you pull the retirement back and don’t shine up Chiesa, who gave you the microphone in the first place. It was a real bit of a double cross, frankly.”

Sonnen continued, insisting that witnessing Ferguson’s career continue is “not fun anymore” and “needs to stop.”

“I am completely confident in telling you there’s not going to be a return,” Sonnen stated. “Grappling is what Tony does so well…he’s just a fantastic guy on the ground. … I have a problem with the fact he didn’t hand-fight. … It seemed like there was some very basic awareness of very basic steps that weren’t being done, in conjunction with an interview that I could give a pass to had a guy just got knocked out. It wasn’t like that. This needs to stop! It’s not fun anymore.”

Since once again vowing to improve and insisting that he remains a threat during a post-fight press conference that gave little indication that a retirement could be on the way, Ferguson is yet to further address his future.

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Doesn’t Hold Back With ‘Tough Love’ For Tony Ferguson: ‘This Needs To Stop!’ at MMA News.