Tag: UFC 296

Dana White hopeful Tony Ferguson retires with UFC 296 loss to Paddy Pimblett: ‘That would be a wrap’

Tony Ferguson set to retire with UFC 296 loss to Paddy Pimblett Dana White wrap it upDana White has claimed that he’s hopeful veteran former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson would call time on his storied mixed martial arts career if he suffers a seventh consecutive loss at UFC 296 in December, as he defends his matchup against the surging, Paddy Pimblett. Ferguson, a former interim champion at the lightweight limit […]

Tony Ferguson set to retire with UFC 296 loss to Paddy Pimblett Dana White wrap it up

Dana White has claimed that he’s hopeful veteran former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson would call time on his storied mixed martial arts career if he suffers a seventh consecutive loss at UFC 296 in December, as he defends his matchup against the surging, Paddy Pimblett.

Ferguson, a former interim champion at the lightweight limit under the banner of the UFC, is slated to return to the Octagon at UFC 296 in December, taking on the returning former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, Pimblett over the course of three rounds.

Last featuring at UFC 291 back in July in Salt Lake City, Utah, Tony Ferguson dropped a third round arm-triangle submission loss to Bobby Green, marking his sixth straight defeat since a 2019 doctor’s stoppage TKO win over Donald Cerrone. 

And reacting to criticizm of the matchmaking between Ferguson and Pimblett, UFC CEO, White defended the matchup, praising Ferguson’s recent performances.

“I think a lot of people think that Paddy (Pimblett) is unproven, and I think a lot of people feel that Tony (Ferguson) isn’t in deep water like he’s been in, in his last several fights,” White told assembled media after the Contender Series. “I think the matchmaking and the timing on this fight is excellent and couldn’t be more perfect.”

“If you look at Tony’s last few fights that he’s fought, he looked damn good before the (Michael) chandler finish, and every fight that’s fought on the last two, three fights,” White explained. “He looked damn good right until the end. So, it’s fun, interesting fight with two fun and interesting characters.”

Tony Ferguson expected to retire with UFC 296 loss to Paddy Pimblett

However, according to White, Ferguson should really consider calling time on his career should he slump to a seventh straight loss in his return against Pimblett.

“I would let Tony make that decision, but I’m sure if he loses to Paddy, he would probably look at calling it,” White explained. “He’s had a great career. Done a lot of things, had a lot of big fights. That would probably be a wrap for him. Hopefully.” 

Can Tony Ferguson snap his losing skid in December against Paddy Pimblett?

Michael Bisping defends Paddy Pimblett, Tony Ferguson matchmaking at UFC 296: ‘He will fight tooth and nail’

Michael Bisping defends Paddy Pimblett and Tony Ferguson fight at UFC 296Former UFC middleweight champion, Michael Bisping discusses the recently announced fight between Paddy Pimblett. As in the natural order of the sport, the young up-and-comer, Pimblett, will be fed a notable name who older and past their best – Ferguson. Its likely if Ferguson has not had success earlier on in the promotion, he would […]

Michael Bisping defends Paddy Pimblett and Tony Ferguson fight at UFC 296

Former UFC middleweight champion, Michael Bisping discusses the recently announced fight between Paddy Pimblett.

As in the natural order of the sport, the young up-and-comer, Pimblett, will be fed a notable name who older and past their best – Ferguson. Its likely if Ferguson has not had success earlier on in the promotion, he would have been cut as the 39-year-old is currently riding a six-fight losing streak and has no won a fight in over three years.

The fight announcement has not gone without criticism as it appears to be a clear attempt to get Pimblett, who has been positioned as a future star, an easy win to get him over.

Michael Bisping discusses matchup

Bisping however is confused around the backlash, the UFC employee with unsurprisingly come to the defence of the matchmaking.

“A lot of people on social media are talking sh*t about this fight, and I don’t understand that,” Bisping said via his YouTube channel. “Paddy ‘The Baddy’ has gotta come back. You’ve gotta give him a credible opponent. Tony Ferguson’s a wild motherf*cker. It’s as simple as that. He’s a fighter, man. He will fight to the nail. You literally have to finish Tony Ferguson to get him to stop coming forward. There is no quit in that man.” (H/T MMA News)

Bisping continued, saying that while Ferguson is old and suffered damage, he is still dangerous and will be a live underdog in the fight.

“At 39 years old, yeah, of course he’s taken a lot of damage. But he also has a lot of experience,” Bisping continued. “And against Bobby Green, he was doing okay… Tony Ferguson is still a dangerous man, make no mistake about that. And it’s a really, really tough spot for Paddy Pimblett. It’s a lose-lose. Already there’s people out there talking sh*t, saying, ‘They’ve just given Paddy somebody easy.’ Tony Ferguson is not an easy fight for anyone.”

Michael Bisping talks

Do you agree with Michael Bisping?

Sean O’Malley welcomes UFC title fight with Merab Dvalishvili: ‘I don’t know why everyone thinks I’m scared’

Sean O'Malley fight with Merab Dvalishvili I don't know why everyone thinks I'm scared UFCUndisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley will not be getting his desired return atop a UFC 296 card in December against Marlon Vera, and furthermore, if a rematch with the Chone native alludes the newly-crowned champion, he insists he has no problem fighting Georgian grappling ace, Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley, the incumbent undisputed bantamweight champion, earned that […]

Sean O'Malley fight with Merab Dvalishvili I don't know why everyone thinks I'm scared UFC

Undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley will not be getting his desired return atop a UFC 296 card in December against Marlon Vera, and furthermore, if a rematch with the Chone native alludes the newly-crowned champion, he insists he has no problem fighting Georgian grappling ace, Merab Dvalishvili.

O’Malley, the incumbent undisputed bantamweight champion, earned that moniker back in August in the main event of UFC 292, dispatching long-reigning division kingpin, Aljamain Sterling in a second round TKO triumph in his premier championship outing.

And in the time since, Dana White’s Contender Series alum, O’Malley has called for a chance to avenge a 2020 knockout loss to the above-mentioned, Vera – which comes as his sole professional defeat.

Suggesting a showdown for bantamweight spoils at UFC 296 in December, O’Malley’s chances of a year-end return were quashed after the promotion confirmed a welterweight headliner between Leon Edwards and his arch-rival, Colby Covington for the event.

Sean O’Malley has welcomed a future fight with Merab Dvalishvili

Weighing up what is next for him, O’Malley admitted that he would fight anyone the UFC puts in front of him – shooting down a narrative that he is actively avoiding a fight with Tbilisi native, Dvalishvili.

“I remember the first time we fought: ‘Are you gonna get a rematch?’” Sean O’Malley told The Schmo of a fight with Marlon Vera. “It’s supposed to happen, but, we’ll see – I’ll fight whoever they (the UFC) want me to fight. I don’t know everyone thinks I’m scared of Merab (Dvalishvili).”

“I think Aljo (Aljamain Sterling) is better than Merab and I know I’m able to knock out Aljo,” Sean O’Malley continued. “It it who it is. It’s been like that, people act like I call my shots on all my fights, but I’m going to take who they give me.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Sidelined since March through a hand injury, Dvalishvili most recently turned in a unanimous decision victory shutout over common-foe and former undisputed bantamweight champion, Petr Yan – earning himself the number one contender rank ahead of UFC 292. 

Would you like to see Sean O’Malley fight Merab Dvalishvili next?

Official – Ian Machado Garry books UFC 296 return in December fight against Vicente Luque

Ian Machado Garry vs. Vicente Luque added to UFC 296 card on December 16.Despite both sharing the mats in South Florida at Kill Cliff FC, undefeated Dublin striker, Ian Machado Garry, and recent headliner, Vicente Luque are slated to fight each other at UFC 296 on December 16. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Machado Garry, who landed the number eleven rank in the official welterweight […]

Ian Machado Garry vs. Vicente Luque added to UFC 296 card on December 16.

Despite both sharing the mats in South Florida at Kill Cliff FC, undefeated Dublin striker, Ian Machado Garry, and recent headliner, Vicente Luque are slated to fight each other at UFC 296 on December 16. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Machado Garry, who landed the number eleven rank in the official welterweight pile back in August at UFC 292, landing a hugely one-sided unanimous decision win over Neil Magny – turning in a heralded striking display against the division’s most winningest fighter.

As for Luque, the New Jersey-born Brazilian earned the number ten rank at 170lbs back in August to boot, landing a unanimous decision win over former undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos – snapping a two-fight losing skid.

Ian Machado Garry draws recent big-winner, Vicente Luque at UFC 296

And as per UFC CEO, Dana White, Ian Machado Garry and Vicente Luque will now share the Octagon on December 16. at UFC 296 in Las Vegas, in a welterweight showdown. 

In the midst of a six-fight winning run since landing in the Octagon, former Cage Warriors welterweight champion, Machado Garry turned in her third victory of the year with his judging shutout against Magny back in August.

Prior to that, Machado Garry rallied to stop Kenan Song with third round strikes, before turning in a highlight-reel high-kick and strikes TKO win over veteran kickboxing talent, Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night Charlotte back in May.

A perennial contender at the welterweight limit, Luque, who boasts a 22-9-1 professional record, largely is considered to pose the biggest threat to Machado Garry’s undefeated run to date – having racked up victories over the likes of Belal Muhammad, Niko Price, Jalin Turner, Bryan Barebrena, Mike Perry, Randy Brown, Michael Chiesa, and former undisputed welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley. 

Can Ian Machado Garry maintain his undefeated record in December at UFC 296?

Paddy Pimblett and the UFC facing backlash following ‘Shameless’ Tony Ferguson matchmaking

Paddy PimblettFight fans were less than thrilled to hear that Paddy Pimblett’s return to the Octagon will come against a fighter currently riding a six-fight losing streak. By the time he steps back into the cage on December 16, it will have been more than a year since Paddy Pimblett competed. UFC 282 saw ‘The Baddy’ […]

Paddy Pimblett

Fight fans were less than thrilled to hear that Paddy Pimblett’s return to the Octagon will come against a fighter currently riding a six-fight losing streak.

By the time he steps back into the cage on December 16, it will have been more than a year since Paddy Pimblett competed. UFC 282 saw ‘The Baddy’ score his fourth-straight win under the UFC banner, though it came with a heaping dose of controversy as virtually everyone had Pimblett losing his three-round scrap with Jared ‘Flash’ Gordon at the event.

Suffering a foot injury during the bout, Pimblett has been laid up for all of 2023 thus far, but that didn’t stop him from issuing a challenge to Gordon, suggesting the two fighters could run it back and settle the debate once and for all.

Instead, Paddy Pimblett will return against one of the lightweight division’s most revered fighters, Tony Ferguson. UFC CEO Dana White made the announcement, confirming that the pair will compete as part of the promotion’s still-developing UFC 296 card in December.

Fans were quick to call the UFC’s matchmaking into question considering Pimblett is a highly-touted prospect riding a six-fight win streak while Ferguson finds himself on a six-fight skid.

Some have accused the promotion of putting ‘El Cucuy‘ out to pasture as he works through the last fights on his contract while others question what either man has to gain by fighting one another. If Paddy Pimblett scores another win inside the Octagon, as many believe he will, ‘The Baddy’ will have beaten a man who is a shell of his former self. If Ferguson manages to come out on top, he’s only beaten an unranked prospect. Not to mention the irreparable damage that Pimblett could face by taking an L against Ferguson.

No matter your opinion on Pimblett vs. Ferguson, you can’t deny that UFC 296 is shaping up to be another can’t-miss night of fights. This week, we learned that two UFC title fights will co-headline the card, the biggest being Leon Edwards’ long-awaited welterweight title defense against division gatekeeper Colby Covington. In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja will put his newly won flyweight title on the line against a familiar foe in Brandon Royval.

Dana White also revealed that Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson will return this December to take on rising undefeated prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Which fight are you looking forward to seeing at UFC 296 this winter?

Fight Fans Slam the Booking of Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson at UFC 296

Official – Ex-Champion Tony Ferguson set to fight Paddy Pimblett in December return at UFC 296

Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett set for UFC 296 on December 16. officialFormer interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson is in line for his second Octagon walk of the year – and he will do so in the final month of 2023, meeting the returning Liverpool grappler, Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 on December 16. at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Per UFC CEO, Dana White, […]

Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett set for UFC 296 on December 16. official

Former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson is in line for his second Octagon walk of the year – and he will do so in the final month of 2023, meeting the returning Liverpool grappler, Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 on December 16. at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Per UFC CEO, Dana White, former interim lightweight titleholder, Tony Ferguson, who will attempt to snap a disappointing six-fight losing skid in his return to the Octagon in December, will welcome former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, Pimblett back to the Octagon following a lengthy lay-off through a foot injury.

Dana White confirms Tony Ferguson’s clash with Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296

Furthermore, as revealed earlier today, White confirmed a welterweight fight between former two-time division championship challenger, Stephen Thompson, and the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov for the promotion’s final pay-per-view event of the year.

Without a victory since a 2019 doctor’s stoppage TKO win over recent Hall of Fame inductee, Donald Cerrone, Oxnard native, Ferguson featured on the main card of UFC 291 back in July, dropping a late third round arm-triangle choke submission loss to incoming UFC Vegas 80 headliner, Bobby Green.

As for Pimblett, the outspoken Liverpudlian grappler improved his undefeated Octagon record to four straight fights back in December of last year at UFC 282, taking home a hugely-controversial and contentious unanimous decision win over Queens striker, Jared Gordon in the event’s co-headliner.

Despite suffering a sixth consecutive loss to the aforenoted, Green, veteran fan-favorite, Ferguson will continue to keep the ball rolling inside the Octagon despite recent calls for him to hang up his gloves from active competition – off the back of consecutive losses to Nate Diaz, Michael Chandler, Beneil Dariush, Charles Oliveira, and Justin Gaethje.

UFC 296 takes place on December 16. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – with an undisputed welterweight title fight between champion, Leon Edwards, and former interim champion, Colby Covington slated to take main event honors. 

Can Tony Ferguson snap his six-fight losing skid against Paddy Pimblett in December?