This past weekend at UFC Abu Dhabi, Tony Ferguson set a new record for the longest losing streak in UFC history with eight losses in a row but continues to refuse to retire amid UFC contract speculation.
Downfalls in MMA don’t get much worse than Tony Ferguson‘s, and unfortunately, it shows no signs of stopping as ‘El Cucuy’ is downright refusing to retire from the sport.
This past Saturday, he seemed to be given a more favorable matchup against Michael Chiesa, who himself was on a three-fight losing skid, granted against a decent caliber of opponent.
Despite that, ‘Maverick’ easily wrapped up a rear naked choke in round one, crushing the hearts of the MMA fanbase who have forgotten what it feels like to see the 40-year-old Ferguson with his hand raised.
After losing the fight Ferguson – in typical ‘El Cucuy’ fashion – placed one UFC glove in the center of the Octagon as he teased he would finally retire from the sport.
Tony Ferguson won’t give up on his career despite rumors regarding UFC contract
Having said that the former interim UFC lightweight champion quickly went back on his word during the post-fight press conference. His contract status is relatively unclear and rumors have circulated that this past Saturday may have been the final fight on his deal.
“It’s kind of sad to see if I’m being honest because he wants to fight, but I heard multiple rumors last weekend that that was it, they weren’t gonna let him fight anymore in the UFC,” UFC commentator, Daniel Cormier stated in an episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy.
“I think he was aware of it too because in the interview he said, ‘I love the UFC, I don’t want to fight anywhere else’, so it feels like they’re telling him gently, show him the door,” Cormier continued.
Cormier’s co-host, Chael Sonnen went on to back up ‘DC’s’ claims that Ferguson was fighting the last fight on his contract, and if he wasn’t the two legends stated that the UFC would simply have to not give him another fight, even if he has them left on his contract.
If Ferguson’s UFC deal is complete, it is extremely unlikely at this point that he will be offered a new contract, as CEO Dana White has historically pleaded with the 40-year-old to retire. The way Ferguson spoke in the media, his UFC contract is seemingly up.
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Ferguson claims he will continue in MMA with or without the UFC
After his loss to Chiesa when it seemed as though he was about to officially retire, the crowd began to cheer and sing his name, which he has taken as the fans wanting him to still compete. And he is willing to do so outside of the UFC.
“What we do is we go and do something else (if the UFC don’t give me another fight). And I want to be real, if those fans out there are willing enough to come out here and fly and spend thousands of dollars to come watch me compete somewhere, I guarantee they’re gonna follow me somewhere.
“I’m gonna get better and better and better. I feel like these grey hairs right here with the blonde hair are kind of slowly fading away too. So I might have to do something different,” Ferguson said at the post-fight presser.
Although he is still a relatively big name in the sport, there are unlikely to be many suitors for the 40-year-old because of his recent downfall.
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