Mike Dolce believes [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] is in the clear for his upcoming title fight.
Ferguson meets Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 249 on Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla. The bout will be contested for the interim lightweight title.
Among the many points of discussion about the highly anticipated fight, from the effects of the current global coronavirus pandemic on the sport of MMA, the making of the bout, and the fight itself, there’s also the fact that Ferguson went ahead made weight the day original, cancelled April 18 fight date.
With the event postponed, Ferguson still hit the scales and cut down to championship weight of 155 pounds. Some have suggested this could be detrimental for Ferguson, who needs to make 155 pounds again Friday.
Dolce, nutritionist for former UFC champions such as Ronda Rousey and Johny Hendricks, doesn’t think the extra cut will affect Ferguson.
“I think Tony’s weight cut is indicative of his personality and his mentality, and that’s the most important factor for a professional athlete, especially for a professional fighter,” Dolce told MMA Junkie. “Tony Ferguson is a deep water-type athlete, and he’s refining his ability to go into those deep waters.
“I think this weight cut three weeks ago allows Tony a mental advantage over his opposition, where Tony knows he’s willing to risk his health and well being in order to win. We’ve seen Tony do that many times inside the octagon. I don’t see a negative impact on his performance as a result of the weight cut. I do think, if nothing else, it has steeled his own iron will to go out there and compete against someone like Justin Gatheje, who’s a violent man, who’s a violent fighter, who’s a scary man in many ways.
“I see a lot of elite athletes like Tony Ferguson put challenges along the way making the process even more difficult to eventually test themselves and make sure their merit is still there and I think Tony has passed all these challenges with flying colors.”
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Dolce stated he didn’t oversee Ferguson’s weight cut or rehydration process, making it difficult to know if “El Cucuy” properly handled the cut, but Dolce noted wrestling, which is Ferguson’s background, features athletes who cut weight frequently.
“We work with D-1 collegiant wrestlers, the guys and girls, they’re cutting two, three, four times a week and this is all mental toughness,” Dolce explained. “It doesn’t adversely affect the wrestlers, they go on to win national championships, they go on to became All-American, and they’re cutting thirty, forty times during a two, three, four month season. We’re worrying about Tony cutting twice in three weeks, so let’s put things in context.”
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