Tag: Tony Ferguson

Arman Tsarukyan Believes Tony Ferguson Should Retire

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan believes former interim champion Tony Ferguson should consider hanging up the gloves. Ferguson suffered a fourth-straight defeat via leg kick knockout against Michael Chandler at UFC 274 just weeks ago. Despite his recent losing skid, Ferguson has expressed optimism regarding his fighting future. But Tsarukyan thinks Ferguson should consider preserving…

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UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan believes former interim champion Tony Ferguson should consider hanging up the gloves.

Ferguson suffered a fourth-straight defeat via leg kick knockout against Michael Chandler at UFC 274 just weeks ago. Despite his recent losing skid, Ferguson has expressed optimism regarding his fighting future.

But Tsarukyan thinks Ferguson should consider preserving his health and leaving the fight game for good.

During an exclusive interview with MMA News, Tsarukyan gave an honest assessment of where Ferguson is in his professional career.

“I don’t know what Tony Ferguson (is doing) in number nine,” Tsarukyan said. “Four fights lost (in a row)… I think he gotta stop his career.”

Before his loss to Chandler, Ferguson lost in an interim lightweight title fight to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. He would go on to lose unanimous decisions to Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush.

Ferguson is also looking for a new coaching staff to lead him into this next chapter of his career. He parted ways with Eddie Bravo and his previous coaches following the loss to Gaethje.

Tsarukyan is heading in the opposite career trajectory as Ferguson. He’s won five in a row and is set to face Mateusz Gamrot at an upcoming Fight Night event on June 25.

The 38-year-old Ferguson doesn’t sound like he’s ready to stop fighting for good, and fans could expect him to return to the Octagon later this year.

Do you agree with Arman Tsarukyan that Tony Ferguson should consider retirement?

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Tony Ferguson “Would Love To Be Able To Fight Dustin Poirier” In Return Fight To UFC

Dustin Poirier, Tony FergusonFormer interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson is eyeing a matchup with Dustin Poirier in his next fight. Coming off the first-ever knockout loss of his career, Tony Ferguson has now dropped four consecutive bouts including another TKO defeat to Justin Gaethje. Although he has dropped down to the ninth-ranked contender spot in the official […]

Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson

Former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson is eyeing a matchup with Dustin Poirier in his next fight.

Coming off the first-ever knockout loss of his career, Tony Ferguson has now dropped four consecutive bouts including another TKO defeat to Justin Gaethje. Although he has dropped down to the ninth-ranked contender spot in the official lightweight rankings ‘El Cucuy‘ remains one of the most endeared fan favorites.

Ahead of his latest outing against Michael Chandler at UFC 274, Ferguson made some inflammatory comments about the UFC and its president Dana White. Despite the ongoing tensions during the build-up, White assured the media that Ferguson will go into the bout secure about his future in the promotion regardless of the outcome.

Tony Ferguson calls out Dustin Poirier

In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Tony Ferguson talked about what he has planned for the future. Reeling from a Knockout of the Year contender loss like that can’t be easy but props to Ferguson who’s already found a potential opponent for his next fight.

“I would love to be able to fight Dustin Poirier,” Ferguson said. “Obviously he likes to go stand-up. A stand-up battle wouldn’t be bad. When I’m ready to fight I will let the UFC know. I guarantee you they’ll let me know, too, ‘Hey, this is who we have.’ I was ready for (Islam) Makhachev in Abu Dhabi if some things would’ve been a little bit different. But I try to take these opportunities and present them so I’m there for the company. They know I’m a company man, and that’s why they said I’m not going anywhere.” (h/t MMA Mania)

Dustin Poirier has remained out of action since his most recent showing against Charles Oliveira last December. Although ‘The Diamond’ lost the fight, he still carries momentum ahead having won eight of his last ten. The 33-year-old Louisiana native was seemingly targeting Nate Diaz for a bout next but it seems unlikely given the lack of interest from the UFC.

Would you like to see a fight between Ferguson and Poirier?

Conor McGregor Expresses Regret Over Tony Ferguson Treatment

UFC superstar Conor McGregor regrets how he handled himself on social media following Tony Ferguson’s KO loss to Michael Chandler. McGregor basked in Ferguson’s brutal loss to Chandler on the main card of UFC 274 just weeks ago. Ferguson has now lost four in a row, with his last victory coming against Donald Cerrone at…

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UFC superstar Conor McGregor regrets how he handled himself on social media following Tony Ferguson’s KO loss to Michael Chandler.

McGregor basked in Ferguson’s brutal loss to Chandler on the main card of UFC 274 just weeks ago. Ferguson has now lost four in a row, with his last victory coming against Donald Cerrone at UFC 238.

McGregor and Ferguson haven’t come face-to-face in the UFC Octagon to date, but the two fighters have gone at each other in the media and online for years. But while McGregor isn’t afraid to speak his mind and tease his rivals, he says he regrets how he knocked Ferguson on social media following the fight.

Screenshot by MMA Fighting

“I’m upset I went at tony like that,” McGregor tweeted in a since-deleted tweet. “Out straight. Wtf team, this is not a nice app nor does it encourage nice behavior toward each other. 43bn, man pull that and say “sike” who give a fuck, really. No one. Dip to a dip on the ship. The carry the toys ship. Leave a beast a beast.”

While McGregor’s losing skid isn’t as severe, he’s looking to get back in the win column following back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier in 2021. He suffered a nasty leg injury in his last fight against Poirier at UFC 264 but is plotting a return to the Octagon for later this year.

It isn’t often that McGregor is apologetic for his social media remarks, but it seems like he feels he might’ve misstepped following Ferguson’s latest defeat.

What do you make of Conor McGregor’s tweet of regret?

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Ferguson Warns Fighters Hoping To Use Him As A Stepping Stone

UFC veteran Tony Ferguson has sent a warning to up-and-coming fighters who are hoping to use his name as a stepping stone. At the Arizona-held UFC 274 pay-per-view earlier this month, Ferguson’s losing skid was extended in perhaps the most devastating way imaginable. Having lost consecutively to Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush, “El…

Continue Reading Ferguson Warns Fighters Hoping To Use Him As A Stepping Stone at MMA News.

UFC veteran Tony Ferguson has sent a warning to up-and-coming fighters who are hoping to use his name as a stepping stone.

At the Arizona-held UFC 274 pay-per-view earlier this month, Ferguson’s losing skid was extended in perhaps the most devastating way imaginable. Having lost consecutively to Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush, “El Cucuy” had hoped to bounce back to contention against 2021 title challenger Michael Chandler.

Despite an impressive opening round, which even saw Ferguson record a knockdown, the former interim titleholder quickly found himself unconscious on the ground with a victorious Chandler doing flips.

How did we get there? A brutal Anderson Silva-esque front kick to the face.

But while the vicious fashion of the defeat has left many pondering Ferguson’s future inside the Octagon, with some even calling for his retirement, the man himself has claimed that he’s far from done.

And if his UFC peers see differently, he’s promised to give them a stark and “dangerous” reminder.

Ferguson: I’m A Dangerous Stone To Step On

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Ferguson looked back on his latest setback and assessed what his future on MMA’s biggest stage looks like.

After reiterating his desire to return to contention in the UFC, Ferguson acknowledged that some fighters will be looking at his declining form, hoping to capitalize and use him as a stepping stone. According to “El Cucuy,” anyone following that belief is sorely mistaken.

“I would like to see myself back in the picture,” said Ferguson. “Obviously, I wanna fight this year. My dad asked me, ‘Who’s next?’ Obviously, there’s gonna be a lot of people who are gonna want to step up, and look at me like a stepping block, but that’s a dangerous block to be stepping on. When I have all my attention towards something, I have my full hunger — you saw it in the first round (versus Chandler).

“If I hadn’t sparred for about three to five years, imagine what I can do if I do spar, if I still add those new tools to my toolbox,” added Ferguson. “That’s a dangerous individual, and I don’t think I’m gonna be too easy for anybody to be able to finish, one, or two, be able to win (against) anymore.”

Since his fourth straight defeat, Ferguson has been extremely active on social media and is seemingly more motivated than ever to rebound in the cage. We’ll see if he can bounce back when he returns to action, potentially later this year.

Who do you think Tony Ferguson should face next?

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Ferguson Responds To Gillespie’s Ducking Claims: “Stop Your Whining”

UFC lightweight veteran Tony Ferguson has advised fellow contender Gregor Gillespie to swap his “whining” for some fighting. Gillespie has long been a name present in the rankings, but seemingly far away from the Octagon. At the start of 2019, a victory over Yancy Medeiros moved “The Gift” to a 6-0 record in the UFC,…

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UFC lightweight veteran Tony Ferguson has advised fellow contender Gregor Gillespie to swap his “whining” for some fighting.

Gillespie has long been a name present in the rankings, but seemingly far away from the Octagon. At the start of 2019, a victory over Yancy Medeiros moved “The Gift” to a 6-0 record in the UFC, which he’d built in just three years. Across the following three, Gillespie has gone 1-1.

Following a brutal knockout loss to Kevin Lee, the elite wrestler took nearly two years out before returning with an impressive TKO victory over Carlos Diego Ferreira last May. Now a year later and Gillespie remains on the sidelines and without a fight booked. His place in the rankings has also been lost due to inactivity.

While many had speculated that he’d been released, Gillespie soon took to Instagram to clarify the situation with a lengthy post, during which he accused Ferguson of turning down a fight with him on multiple occasions.

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, which came just just over a week after his fourth consecutive defeat at UFC 274, Ferguson responded to Gillespie’s ducking accusations, which the now-unranked lightweight has been publicly spreading for months.

After denying that him or his team has ever been presented with an offer to share the Octagon with “The Fisherman,” the former interim titleholder offered some advice for Gillespie’s career.

“I’d never heard about him… I was never offered a fight by the UFC with him. I never heard anything, my lawyers (and) my agents never heard anything,” said Ferguson. “I want to be real, that dude is some kind of work man. I sent him a message… the story is, he don’t change his knee pads, I guess, or something like that. He’s a stinky guy. I don’t wanna fight a stinky guy. Clean up your act and go fight some people. You can’t talk your way into the title, you’re not Conor (McGregor). Conor’s got value, he brings something to the table. He breaks records with the gate and everything. So do I.”

Ferguson Accuses Gillespie Of “B*tching” & Not Putting In Work

Ferguson went on to remind Gillespie that nothing is gifted on MMA’s biggest stage. After citing the performances of young and hungry up-and-comers on Dana White’s Contender Series as an example of how to rise the ranks, “El Cucuy” sent some hard truths Gillespie’s way.

In essence, Ferguson told “The Gift” to stop whining and start scrapping.

“Look at Dana White’s Contender Series… Those f*ckers are hungry, because they’re coming from nothing,” said Ferguson. “If you fight like that, and you fight like you’re hungry, and you’re going in there finishing people, not just laying on people and expecting things — a lot of people expect sh*t and they don’t put in the work. Nothing’s gonna come to you if you don’t do any work man.

“If you’re just sitting there bitching all the time and not doing any work, or there for the company, you can’t expect to talk yourself into a title fight, I’m gonna be real… I recommend to him (Gillespie), get in there and fight some mothers*ckers,” Ferguson continued.

“Get some highlight reels, build your record, do what you’ve gotta do, but stop your whining… No one wants to hear that.”

While Gillespie has consistently accused Ferguson of avoiding a fight against him, the New York native has been the recipient of similar claims.

Ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has notably cited multiple incidents of Gillespie turning down a matchup with him, something that was corroborated by Chael Sonnen. The former UFC star revealed he’d been alerted to Gillespie’s tendency to turn down fights, suggesting that the 35-year-old’s inactivity is entirely his fault.

Is Tony Ferguson correct with his assessment of Gregor Gillespie?

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Tony Ferguson Claims Belal Muhammad ‘Jocked’ His Swag

Tony Ferguson thinks Belal Muhammad has “jocked” his swag. Ferguson recently spoke to Ariel Helwani of “The MMA Hour” coming off of his knockout loss to Michael Chandler at UFC 274. During the interview, Ferguson talked about working with young fighters and how much he enjoys it. Even if they do “jock” his style. “El…

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Tony Ferguson thinks Belal Muhammad has “jocked” his swag.

Ferguson recently spoke to Ariel Helwani of “The MMA Hour” coming off of his knockout loss to Michael Chandler at UFC 274. During the interview, Ferguson talked about working with young fighters and how much he enjoys it.

Even if they do “jock” his style. “El Cucuy” pointed to top-ranked welterweight contender Belal Muhammad as a prime example. Ferguson detailed an interaction he had with Muhammad recently.

“Like Belal Muhammad,” Ferguson said. “That dude would clown on some of the things I was doing; my sunglasses, my workouts — and now you have this dude jocking the sh*t out of my swag.

“I remember we were over there, I ran into him before we were — he was wearing his sunglasses and they weren’t on yet. They were on his shirt in front of him.

“He’s at 170 and I’m looking at him and I’m thinking ‘Man it would be cool to go back up to 170.’ These guys are slow and dumb. At ’55 they’re a little bit quicker.

“But he had his sunglasses on and I said to him, ‘You took papa’s sunglasses and now you’re wearing them?’

Come on Joe!'- Belal Muhammad Pulls Joe Rogan's Leg After UFC 258 Victory - EssentiallySports
Belal Muhammad

“He’s like ‘I’m the sunglasses guy,’ and I looked at him and said ‘You will never be the sunglasses guy.’ It was the funniest sh*t, bro.”

Perhaps a move up to welterweight would be good for Ferguson. As it stands, he’s currently on a four-fight losing streak, being finished in two of those. His last outing resulted in the first time in his mixed martial arts (MMA) career when he was knocked out unconscious.

Michael Chandler nailed Ferguson with a front kick to the face that put him out cold. Now, Ferguson will have to dust off and regroup upon his next Octagon outing — whenever that may be.

Things are going a lot better for Muhammad, who is on a seven-fight win streak (1 NC) at 170 pounds. He’s currently the No. 5-ranked welterweight in the UFC.

The 33-year-old might just be one big win away from challenging Kamaru Usman for the welterweight throne.

What do you make of Tony Ferguson accusing Belal Muhammad of “jocking” his style? Would you like to see him jump up to welterweight? Sound off in the comments!

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