No one could believe it when Tony Ferguson, the former UFC interim lightweight champion, injured himself just days before UFC 223.
Ferguson, who was expected to face the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov for the undisputed lightweight title, slipped on a wire during a UFC 223 promo and tore a ligament in his knee.
It was difficult for many fans to digest, but ‘El Cucuy’ has the photo — and video — to prove the severity of his injury. The 34-year-old underwent surgery on Tuesday and posted an update on Instagram earlier today.
Be warned though, the following image is graphic.
“‘Keep Fighting’ I Can’t Say Its Going To Be Easy… But I Will Say Everything In My Life Has Prepared Me For This Test. Whatever You Are Going Through Remember Someone Has It Worse… Thank You Everyone For The Thoughts & Prayers…Real Talk. #TeamElCucuy I Hate Sitting On The Sidelines, but “belt or no belt I won’t allow that to define me…” This Is #MyRoadToRecoveryXT,” Ferguson posted on social media.
In Ferguson’s absence from UFC 223, Max Holloway, then Al Iaquinta, stepped in as his replacement against ‘The Eagle’. Nurmagomedov dominated ‘Raging Al’ in the main event to take home the official lightweight championship, becoming the first Dagestani fighter to win a UFC title.
Khabib, 29, has said Ferguson needs to earn his title shot by winning another fight and called out Georges St-Pierre in his UFC 223 post-fight interview.
Ferguson, a BJJ black belt under 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu’s Eddie Bravo, is still ranked in the top three and is on an impressive 10-fight win streak but could be on the sidelines for the rest of the year.
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