As the UFC returns to the United Arab Emirates for an impressive Fight Night card packed with top-tier talent, fans are dialed in on what could very well be the final outing of the iconic ‘El Cucuy’.
There aren’t many fighters more popular than Tony Ferguson, yet as fans prepare for what could very well be El Cucuy’s last ever fight in the promotion this weekend at UFC Abu Dhabi, the iconic veteran has fired back at claims he’s set to hang up the gloves.
Win or lose, Tony Ferguson says he won’t retire after UFC Abu Dhabi
Following UFC 302 in Newark back in June, Dana White stated that regardless of the result against Michael Chiesa on August 3, he would still like to see Tony Ferguson retire from the sport.
Unsurprisingly, those comments didn’t go over too well with ‘El Cucuy’, who fired back at the UFC CEO during his media day interviews earlier today: “Well, we want Dana to do a lot of s*** too so we can’t discredit that one either.”
Win, lose, or draw: Tony Ferguson explained that he doesn’t plan on hanging up the gloves come Saturday night, sharing how both his body and mind feel rejuvenated now that he’s finally made the permanent move up to welterweight.
“I’m being real with it, [this is] at 170lbs – I’m not killing myself to get to 155lbs, I do feel fresher. 155lbs is closer to my high school wrestling weight so you guys do the math, I’m 40 f**** years old.
“I feel comfortable [at 170lbs]. I don’t feel like this is going to be my last fight – I have to do some extraordinary s*** [and] that’s what I’m planning to do.”
Despite what had previously been reported, Ferguson also noted that his clash with Michael Chiesa isn’t even the final fight left on his current UFC contract – although the former champion did argue that it wouldn’t influence his gameplan either way.
“You guys all read the tabloids about how they [UFC] want to keep renewing contracts and I’ve been very fortunate to always get a better deal when it comes to myself… I love this company, and I have plenty of fights left but this is not a fight last or first, or however everyone wants to see it.
“I feel so f***** fresh, like it’s a completely different look,” he stated, adding how “I love the UFC, and this is where I’m going to stay, so I have to earn that right.
“I do have seven losses – and who gets an eighth chance except for me? I don’t ever ask for a lot of s***, so I’m asking myself to go out there and do the best performance I possibly can so that I can retain my spot.”
Even if he isn’t re-signed by the UFC after this weekend, Ferguson said that he wouldn’t want to continue fighting in another promotion – and couldn’t help but take a swing at his former lightweight rival, Conor McGregor.
“I do want to be here; I don’t want to go and fight for another organization – where the f*** am I going to go? BKFC and have Conor [McGregor] work for me again?
“No, I don’t want to do that s***… Literally, this is home and it’s always been home.”
On the contrary, there is a possibility that we see Ferguson following in the footsteps of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Mike Perry, and Jorge Masvidal in that “If it comes down to it, maybe I’ll open up my own promotion.”
- WHO: Former title contender admits he will ‘for sure be distracted’ by $17million display at The Sphere
‘El Cucuy’ sends an ominous message to Michael Chiesa ahead of fight
Heading into UFC Abu Dhabi this weekend, Ferguson is one of the biggest underdogs on the entire card – yet the fan-favorite veteran has reminded Chiesa that he’s not to be overlooked.
“This is mixed martial arts, I’m not here for ADCC,” he told Hosheh MMA.
“I’m here to go in there, I’m going to outwork you, I’m going to punch you, you’re going to shoot in and I’m going to choke you out.
“With Paddy, I shouldn’t have let him up, I had too many people telling me the wrong s*** when I know damn well that I have the compass to get where I need to go.
“I have nothing against Michael Chiesa, but I’m going to bring the fight to you, I’m not going to give you any time to breathe, and I hope your conditioning is really good.”
Tony Ferguson vs Michael Chiesa is scheduled to go down this weekend on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi, UFC on ABC 7, live from the Etihad Arena in UAE on Saturday, August 1.