Tag: Tony Ferguson

Jake Paul addresses Tony Ferguson as potential MMA debut fight: ‘I don’t want to see him go out like that’

Jake Paul appeared rather dismissive of former UFC interim champ Tony Ferguson as a potential opponent for his debut MMA fight.

[autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag] appeared rather dismissive of [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] as his debut MMA fight.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer knocked out Ryan Bourland in the first round of their eight-round, 200-pound bout Saturday in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Paul has yet to have a scheduled date for his MMA debut with the PFL. While he still intends on stepping into the cage, he hasn’t zeroed in on a potential opponent yet. When skidding UFC lightweight Ferguson was suggested, Paul didn’t seem too keen. His manager, Nakisa Bidarian, even chimed to say, “That would not be a fair matchup.”

“Anyone who can get out of their (UFC) contract, I’ll fight,” Paul said during his post-fight news conference Saturday. “That’s easy work, as far as I am concerned. I do want to do a PFL MMA match – it just has to be the right opponent. But Nate (Diaz) did duck my $15 million offer, so we’ll see who else is on the chopping block.

“… Tony Ferguson? He said he wanted to fight? I don’t want to see him go out like that – that would be sad. He’s a great guy. We don’t want that for Tony.”

As for what’s next, Paul hopes to compete at least a couple more times this year.

“I’m going to stay as active as possible. It’s just about finding the right opponents,” Paul said. “This is my life now. It’s a lifestyle, and I’ll be back hopefully two more times before the end of the year.”

Early Monday, Paul tweeted what appeared to be the date for his next fight: April 26.

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Tony Ferguson: ‘I’m going to fight until the wheels fall off – f*ck retiring’

Tony Ferguson reiterates that he has no intentions of retiring.

[autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] reiterates that he has no intentions of retiring.

Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC) suffered his seventh straight loss to Paddy Pimblett this past December at UFC 296. Despite the skid, the former interim lightweight champion, who once was on a 12-fight winning streak, still has the desire to compete.

The likes of UFC CEO Dana White and Daniel Cormier have urged him to hang up his gloves, but Ferguson refuses to give in.

“I’m already a Hall of Famer, man,” Ferguson said on the “JAXXON PODCAST.” “They already f*cking know it, and you know what? I’m not retiring. Anytime I get hurt, I come back with a f*cking vengeance because, like I said, you need a slap in that face in order to do it because the only person that’s going to do it is ourselves. Nobody is going to tell us what the f*ck to do. I’m going to fight until the wheels fall off. F*ck retiring.”

Ferguson sought help from former Navy SEAL David Goggins, who put him through a rigorous training camp. The 39-year-old explained how the two connected.

“He sent me a message through my agent, who sent it to me, and we just kept in contact,” Ferguson said. “He sent me another one once in a while. Then he finally reached out to me and he was like, ‘Tony, I want to help you.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, where you at?’ I thought he was on the East Coast, ‘No, I’m in Vegas. I have a compound out here.’

“And every morning, every night, he would text me and check in on me. Like, he was just a guardian, and it was cool as f*ck. He was like, ‘I need to be really honest with you. I need to get in your head, Tony. We can get you there, but you’re going to have to go through the sh*t.'”

After a loss to Michael Johnson in 2012, it was eight years until Ferguson’s next setback in May 2020. In his current skid, he’s lost to Justin Geathje, Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, Bobby Green and Pimblett.

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Tony Ferguson says he fought Paddy Pimblett with torn MCL at UFC 296, reveals recent surgery

According to Tony Ferguson, he was compromised when he fought Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296.

According to [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag], he fought [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] with a serious knee injury.

Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC) suffered his seventh consecutive loss when he was dominated by Pimblett at UFC 296 in December, but the former interim lightweight champion revealed that he was compromised the entire time.

Ferguson took to Instagram to say that he tore his MCL in his right knee about a month before his fight with Pimblett. He recently underwent surgery to repair his knee, shortly after going under the knife to remove bone fragments in his elbow.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2jPsKEOIT2/?igsh=MWUxbm94ZmR6Zmk1eQ==

“”Tunnel🧪Vision” 2 Weeks Before Thanksgiving I F*cked My Sh*t Up During A Practice Sesh, MCL Tear. I Kept It To Myself & Put It Behind Me Til After The Fight. I Trained Like No One Knew, Sh*t Hurt So Good. Three Weeks Before Fight Time Told A Few Of My Crew🍃 Nothing Changed. I Recently Took Care Of My Leg (My MCL) & Had Surgery Last Thursday One Week After My Elbow/Arm Surgery (Both Arthroscopy’s). Thought I Would Get Them Both Done & Double-Down. Got It Over W/ So I Can Do What I Do Best. 🚣‍♂️💨🍃 Beyond Rage Is An Understatement… I Feel No Despair, Just Repair,.. All Of It🍃 -Champ ⚔️👓 -CSO- 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽 # 2 Weeks/1Week Post-Op # BeTheExample # NoExcuses 🕊️ NoPainNoGain MF’s # HealingFast # Proverbs24:16.”

Despite tying B.J. Penn for the most consecutive losses in UFC history, Ferguson insisted he’s not done fighting yet. UFC CEO Dana White said post-fight at UFC 296 that he would “love to see” Ferguson hang up the gloves, but 39-year-old Ferguson feels otherwise.

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Jon Anik hopes Joe Rogan enters UFC Hall of Fame, ‘will fight like hell’ for Tony Ferguson

UFC commentator Jon Anik makes the case for Joe Rogan, Bruce Buffer, Tony Ferguson, and more to join the UFC Hall of Fame.

[autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] hopes to eventually see the development of an independent MMA Hall of Fame, but in the meantime, he understands the UFC Hall of Fame is the premier place for career recognition.

Anik, the UFC’s lead play-by-play commentator, thinks there are a few shoo-ins for the UFC Hall of Fame as soon as the 2024 class and also in the years beyond.

Although there are no true guidelines for the selections of who joins the modern-era wing, pioneer wing, fight wing and contributor wing of the UFC Hall of Fame each year, Anik has an idea of two non-fighter figures who belong since they are institutions of the promotion, as well as two athletes with decorated careers but haven’t captured undisputed UFC gold.

Anik revealed four people he wants in the UFC Hall of Fame during a recent interview with MMA Junkie Radio, and you can see his selections and arguments for them, below …

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Bold predictions for 2024: Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Joe Rogan, UFC 300 and more

There are a lot of unknowns for the UFC and MMA in general heading into 2024, but here are seven bold predictions for the new year.

2023 was another year of challenge and change in mixed martial arts, but with that chapter expired, there’s a chance to start brand new in 2024.

There are a lot of unknowns going into the new year, but without further ado, here are seven bold MMA predictions for the next 12 months …

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Ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman hopes UFC’s Tony Ferguson considers retirement

Former NFL star Shawne Merriman knows how hard it is to walk away from pro sports, and has some advice for UFC’s Tony Ferguson.

It wasn’t easy for former NFL standout [autotag]Shawne Merriman[/autotag] to walk away from the game he loves, but the former linebacker-turned-MMA-promoter knew when it was time. He hopes UFC’s Tony Ferguson will also have that revelation.

The biggest similarity between football and MMA is that they are both very physically demanding sports that take a toll on the body. Mentally, Merriman believed he could still compete on the field, much like Ferguson believes he can still fight against the best inside the cage. However, when the body wasn’t on the same page, and that’s when Merriman knew it was time to retire.

“If your body can’t hold up to compete, it is extremely dangerous,” Merriman told MMA Junkie. “That’s why, when you look at somebody like Tony Ferguson – like yeah, you can go in there and fight, but how are you going to look? How are you going to perform? When you can’t perform anymore, it becomes very dangerous, man.

“I hope at some point he considers it. He’s a hell of a warrior, and has done so much in this sport that he’ll just come to the realization that it’s time.”

Since walking away, Merriman has turned his attention to growing the next generation of MMA fighters at Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. He’s been around the fight game for nearly two decades, and much like with NFL players, he can recognize when it’s time for a fighter to move on.

Ferguson, 39, has lost seven straight UFC fights. What he’s bringing to the cage now is a far cry from the fighter who won 12 in a row over six years. Most aren’t given that much leash when it comes to long skids, but for the Season 13 winner of “The Ultimate Fighter” and former interim lightweight champ, the UFC has given Ferguson every opportunity to get back into the win column.

“I’ve been in Pro Bowls, been an All-Pro, been up for Defensive Player of the Year two or three different times, Defensive Rookie of the Year, and now I’m sitting around, hobbling around the field and I can’t get to the football anymore,” Merriman explained. “So, while you’re patted on the back as a warrior, people will sometimes just remember the last things you did.

“I hope that Tony Ferguson figures it out at some point in time. It’s one of the toughest things to do as an athlete, to come to that conclusion.”

Merriman’s next Lights Out Xtreme Fighting event takes place on Jan. 6, at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and airs live on Fubo Sports.

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Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: 2023 year in review with PFL-Bellator, Francis Ngannou vs. UFC, more

Our “Spinning Back Clique” closes out 2023 by looking back at the biggest storylines of the year. Tune in!

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week, panelists Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Nolan King have a special 90-minute show with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the biggest stories of 2023:

  • The PFL’s purchase of Bellator
  • Francis Ngannou’s departure from the UFC and the aftermath
  • Jon Jones returns from more than three years off to claim the vacant UFC heavyweight title
  • UFC drops USADA
  • Another year without Conor McGregor in the cage
  • And more

Tune in!

Ben Askren urges Tony Ferguson to retire after UFC 296: ‘Paddy Pimblett does not seem to be that good’

Ben Askren thinks losing to Paddy Pimblett should signal the end for Tony Ferguson.

[autotag]Ben Askren[/autotag] thinks losing to [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] should signal the end for [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag].

Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC) suffered yet another loss when he was dominated by Pimblett at UFC 296 less than two weeks ago. “El Cucuy” dropped his seventh straight fight, tying B.J. Penn for most consecutive losses in UFC history.

Askren doesn’t rate Pimblett (21-3 MMA, 5-0 UFC) very highly. So, if Ferguson is losing to the rising star in decisive fashion, Askren thinks it’s time he hangs up his gloves.

“He says he wants to keep fighting,” Askren told Middle Easy. “Is it a monetary thing where he needs to keep fighting for money? I don’t know, but Paddy does not seem to be that good. He really doesn’t. And Tony, he just couldn’t get off his back. I don’t know what his plan was. He is a wrestler. He grew up wrestling.

“He knows how to get up. That’s folkstyle wrestling, but he chose to just be on his back for the entirety of the second and third round, right? It’s like, dude, get up. Maybe even take him down. Paddy is not an elite wrestler. You should be able to go get a takedown on this dude. Make it happen.”

Ferguson insists he’s not done yet. The 39-year-old took to social media to urge his fans to keep the faith, despite many – including UFC CEO Dana White encouraging him to retire.

“His trajectory is so insane,” Askren added. “He was like, 13-0, or whatever the hell he was for a while, and now he’s 0-7. It’s like, yeah, you need to be done, buddy.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.

Daniel Cormier: Everybody but Tony Ferguson ‘feels pretty certain’ he should retire after UFC 296 loss

Daniel Cormier says he doesn’t like to show a man the door, but it’s necessary for Tony Ferguson to hang up his gloves for good.

[autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] believes everyone but [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] acknowledges that it’s time for him to retire.

Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC) suffered his seventh consecutive loss to Paddy Pimblett this past Saturday at UFC 296, tying B.J. Penn’s record for most consecutive losses in the UFC.

Cormier has stated in the past that he’d like to see Ferguson hang up his gloves and reiterated that sentiment once more.

“Tony Ferguson would seem to be done,” Cormier said on his ESPN show “DC & RC.” “Call it what it is.”

Cormier thinks the issue lies with Ferguson himself. Most people, including UFC CEO Dana White, have urged the former interim lightweight champion to retire, but “El Cucuy” refuses to give in. Ferguson posted a statement on his Instagram stories after his loss to Pimblett, telling his fans to “keep the faith” and that he’s not retiring.

“I believe that Tony Ferguson should retire,” Cormier said. “I really try to limit trying to show a man the door because nobody knows when someone’s done until they know that they’re done. … Only Tony knows when it’s time, but it seems as though he’s the only one left that isn’t sure. Everybody else feels pretty certain that that time has come for Tony Ferguson.”

Ferguson sought help from former Navy SEAL David Goggins, who was in his corner against Pimblett. In his post-fight reaction octagon side, Cormier revealed that Goggins indicated that Ferguson is likely done, but Cormier isn’t buying it.

“Many didn’t even expect Tony Ferguson to go 15 minutes, so hat’s off to Tony for doing that,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “But David Goggins, who cornered him (at UFC 296), came up to us at the end of the fight and said, ‘Tony may retire after this.’ And I said, ‘Well, is he?’

“He goes, ‘I don’t know.’ But we gave our opinions and said, ‘Maybe it is time for Tony to retire.’ While his heart and his mind are still telling him to go, I don’t necessarily know if his timing is still where it needs to be because for a short period of time in those fights, you see the old Tony Ferguson. But as time goes on, he isn’t the same guy.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.

Tony Ferguson shuts down calls for UFC retirement after seventh consecutive loss

Tony Ferguson continues to be defiant in the face of calls for his MMA retirement after another loss at UFC 296.

[autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] continues to be defiant in the face of calls for his MMA retirement after another loss at UFC 296.

Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC), a former interim UFC lightweight champion, tied B.J. Penn for the most consecutive losses in octagon history this past Saturday when he drooped his seventh in a row, a unanimous decision against Paddy Pimblett.

It’s been a radical shift in fortune for “El Cucuy” in recent years. He once put together 12 consecutive wins in the lightweight division but has now slid far the other way. He hasn’t had his hand raised since June 2019.

UFC CEO Dana White said post-fight at UFC 296 that he would “love to see” Ferguson hang up the gloves and move on from active competition, but it doesn’t appear he’ll get his wish.

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Ferguson posted to social media Wednesday, and the caption to his post indicated he will not be retiring and will continue to push forward (via Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1D97aluxxH/

“Love My Fans & Supporters, You All Are Fuckin’ Fire 🔥 Met Lots Of You Saturday/ This Weekend / This Week 🤝 Keep The Faith🙏MF’s. One Foot In Front Of The👣Other Bitches. Remember What I Said Crew✍️💨🍃” – Champ 🪽-CSO- 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽 # ThereIsNoSuccessWithoutStruggle # Not 🦹‍♂️RetiringCasuals # EatAFat🖕😎OneYa’BunchOfEunics ✂️🥜

It’s unknown whether Ferguson, 39, will remain under UFC contract moving forward. White did not indicate if Ferguson would be released if he opted against retirement in the aftermath of UFC 296.

Ferguson’s current losing skid has come against Pimblett, Bobby Green, Nate Diaz, Michael Chandler, Beneil Dariush, Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.