Tony Ferguson has no plans to retire anytime quickly.
The fan-favorite veteran enters Saturday’s UFC Abu Dhabi card trying to snap a seven-fight dropping streak as he meets Michael Chiesa in a welterweight bout. UFC CEO Dana White has made it clear that he’d prefer to see Ferguson cling up the gloves, however “El Cucuy” sees new life for himself with a return to the 170-pound division.
“I’m 40-f*cking-years outdated,” Ferguson stated at UFC Abu Dhabi media day. “I’ve been competing on this sport for a really very long time, throughout in sports activities for over 35 years. Type of loopy. Wrestled in school at 165. 170 is what I received The Final Fighter at. Michael Chiesa received it at 155. We do the mathematics, we do the numbers, you’re not alleged to go backwards. I’ve been combating backwards my complete whole time, making an attempt to simply keep there for who-God-knows-f*cking-what purpose.
“Hundred-and-seventy kilos, I really feel comfy. I don’t really feel like that is going to be my final combat. I’ve to do some extraordinary shit, is what I’m planning on doing.”
Ferguson, as soon as a prime contender at light-weight, hasn’t received a combat since a physician stoppage of Donald Cerrone in June 2019. Following that victory, he ran right into a assassin’s row of opponents, together with Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, and Michael Chandler, all of whom contributed to Ferguson’s present spiral. In his most up-to-date outing, Ferguson misplaced a unanimous determination to Paddy Pimblett.
An eighth consecutive loss might moderately sign the top of Ferguson’s UFC run. Ought to the promotion minimize ties with him, Ferguson has no want to compete elsewhere.
“I really like the UFC and that is the place I’m going to remain,” Ferguson stated. “So I’ve to earn that proper. I do have seven losses, who will get an eighth probability when it goes into this aside from me? I don’t ever ask for lots of shit so I’m asking myself to go on the market and do the very best efficiency I in all probability can, in order that approach I can retain my spot.
“I do wish to be right here. I don’t wish to go combat for one more group. The place the f*ck am I going to go, BKFC and have Conor [McGregor] work for me once more? No, I don’t wish to try this shit. Actually, that is residence. It’s at all times been residence. If it comes all the way down to it, possibly I’ll open up my very own promotion. There’s a variety of completely different enterprise routes that I wish to go and I consider that the youthful technology is ready for me to f*cking do one thing. I’ve been doing a variety of various things, I simply haven’t taken that subsequent step as a result of, properly, I’m not prepared but. Once I’m prepared, possibly so, however not but.”
A lot has been made about Ferguson’s feverish preparation for this weekend’s pivotal bout, although his opponent Chiesa has been dismissive of Ferguson’s coaching speak. Chiesa’s opinion issues little to Ferguson, who feels as locked in as ever regardless of his his poor run of type in recent times.
“No,” Ferguson stated, when requested if this will likely be his final combat. “I’ve this recreation plan. As quickly as I get carried out right here, I’m going to review. So I simply obtained carried out with an hour and a half of cardio. It was 20 bike, 20 tread, 20 elliptical, and 20 on row. After which earlier than that I did 18 rounds. So my physique is activated and to be as targeted as I’m proper now, I’m taking this not as a ‘kill kill kill’ sort of factor, as a result of that’s by no means the man I used to be. However extra of an athlete, as in I’m going to outpoint you, I’m going to f*cking work you, I’m going to make you wish to get the f*ck out of there.
“So Chiesa goes to have his fingers full. Respect, however the respect ends as quickly as that cage door closes.”
