Tag: Tony Ferguson

Video: Was Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett a lose-lose all around?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” discusses if there were any upsides to UFC 296’s Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson.

The UFC 296 matchup between [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] and [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] was heavily criticized from the start.

Ferguson, 39, lost his previous six fights. Pimblett, 28, was the exact opposite, running hot as a winner of six straight, and appeared ready to take on the next level of competition. It felt like the beloved Ferguson was being brought in so that Pimblett could get a big win over a former interim champion.

Pimblett won the fight by unanimous decision, and although Ferguson looked good at times, he was clearly outmatched. “El Cucuy” is now a loser of seven straight fights, and may be done. Pimblett continues his winning streak, but even he admitted this was a tough spot to be in.

Were there any positives to take from this pairing or was this a lose-lose all around?

That’s what our “Spinning Back Clique” of Mike Bohn, Danny Segura, and Brian “Goze” Garcia discussed along with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.

Check out their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss the most recent full episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

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Spinning Back Clique (REPLAY): 90-minute show with UFC 296 recap and early 2024 previews

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel discusses UFC 296 and all its fallout, plus the first big UFC events of 2024.

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 Danny Segura have a special 90-minute show with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:

  • [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] made relatively easy work of [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] to defend the welterweight title in the UFC 296 main event. What now for the champ? And is he on the way to becoming an all-time great, a la Georges St-Pierre – heights he aspires to reach?
  • Covington thought he was going to have a title put around his waist by an embattled former president. Instead, his third shot at a welterweight title came up short yet again. At 35, and with his track record of long periods of inactivity, was that his last shot? Plus, we’ll examine his fight-week and general antics and schtick.
  • [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] returned and outworked [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag]. Ferguson didn’t get finished this time, but he’s now lost seven straight. The UFC almost certainly will cut him loose, particularly after [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] said he wants Ferguson to retire … right? But should he stick around longer? And what about Pimblett? Did he show us anything new?
  • UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] jumped over some cageside seats at UFC 296 to attack his January opponent, [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag], after Du Plessis apparently baited him a bit. Things were far from cordial between them earlier in fight week, too. The matchup has some serious heat on it now, but is either side going too far?
  • New UFC bantamweight champ [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] may have one downfall, and that’s a perceived lack of talent when it comes to selling himself and the fight at a press conference. Is that fair play?
  • There were a slew of big fight announcements for UFC 299 in Miami to accompany O’Malley’s title defense against Marlon Vera. The UFC seems to be stacking that card even though UFC 300 follows it.
  • We’ll take an early look at UFC 300, which we know will be in April. But where, and just how massive will it be?
  • … and much more.

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Paddy Pimblett defends Tony Ferguson from retirement calls after UFC 296: ‘It’s the person’s decision’

Despite being on a seven-fight losing streak, Paddy Pimblett defends Tony Ferguson from retirement calls.

LAS VEGAS – Despite being on a seven-fight losing streak and two months shy from turning 40, [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] doesn’t think people should be calling for [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag]’s retirement.

Pimblett (21-3 MMA, 5-0 UFC), who defeated Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC) in a unanimous decision on the main card of Saturday’s UFC 296, doesn’t like how fans and pundits are calling for “El Cucuy” to hang up the gloves. In fact, not only does he think that it’s solely Ferguson’s decision, but after fighting 15 minutes with him, he genuinely believes Ferguson can still hang in the octagon.

“It’s mad the way people are telling him to retire,” Pimblett told reporters at the UFC 296 post-fight press conference. “It’s the person’s decision who’s fighting of when they want to retire. No one will ever tell me when to retire. It’s my decision.

“If Tony wants to keep getting in there and fighting, he can. I think if you put him in there against someone lower in the division, like a Mark O. Madsen or Drakkar Klose or someone like that, he beats them.”

Ferguson, once considered one of the world’s best lightweights while on a 12-fight winning streak, is in a historic career rut.

Ferguson hasn’t won a fight since June 2019, when he defeated Donald Cerrone. After that victory, Ferguson was viciously beaten by Justin Gaethje in a UFC interim lightweight title fight that headlined UFC 249. The loss sparked this current losing skid, which includes defeats to Charles Oliveira, Beneil Driush, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, Bobby Green and now Pimblett.

Even though Pimblett described his bout against Ferguson as a “lose-lose situation” in the buildup to the event,  the Englishman was surprised to see Ferguson’s toughness, and he’s glad to add his name to the resume.

“He survived. He’s one of the toughest men out there, and hat’s off to him,” Pimblett said. “He’s an absolute legend. As I said before, no one should tell that man to retire. He can retire on his own back when he wants to.”

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

UFC 296 post-event facts: Colby Covington joins rare company with 0-3 title fight record

The best facts to come out of UFC 296, which saw Colby Covington and Tony Ferguson join exclusive and unfortunate clubs in defeat.

The UFC’s final event of the 2023 started with a bang, but ended somewhat slow as UFC 296 unfolded at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The two championship fights to close out the calendar year saw both belts stay put. [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) defeated [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) by unanimous decision to defend welterweight gold in the headliner, while [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (27-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) also got the nod on the scorecards over [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag] (15-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC) to retain flyweight gold.

For more on the numbers behind the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC 296.

Dana White wants Tony Ferguson to retire after seventh straight loss at UFC 296

Dana White wants to see Tony Ferguson retire after loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296.

LAS VEGAS – Like many, [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] thinks it’s time for [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] to retire from MMA.

“I would love to see Tony retire,” White told reporters at the UFC 296-post-fight press conference.

The UFC CEO wants to see Ferguson hang up the gloves after his most recent defeat in the octagon. The 39-year-old returned to the cage Saturday on the main card of UFC 296, the promotion’s final event of the year, but lost a clear unanimous decision to rising star Paddy Pimblett.

The loss to Pimblett (21-3 MMA, 5-0 UFC) marked the seventh consecutive defeat for Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC), a former interim lightweight champion.

“When you talk about a skid, you look at the guys he fought, too,” White said. “That plays a factor into it, and how did he look right up until he lost? Tonight, Tony looked like he should retire.”

Ferguson hasn’t won a fight since June 2019, when he defeated Donald Cerrone. After that victory, Ferguson was viciously beaten by Justin Gaethje in a UFC interim lightweight title fight that headlined UFC 249. The loss sparked his current losing skid, which includes defeats to Charles Oliveira, Beneil Driush, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, Bobby Green and now Pimblett.

Prior to the skid, Ferguson was on a historic 12-fight winning streak and was ranked as one of the world’s best lightweights.

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

UFC 296 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: 2023 total closes at $8.1 million

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 296 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $339,500.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 296 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $339,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 296 took place at T-Mobile Arena. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

The full UFC 296 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

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[autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Josh Emmett[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Bryce Mitchell[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Alonzo Menifield[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Dustin Jacoby[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Irene Aldana[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Karol Rosa[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Brian Kelleher[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Casey O’Neill[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Tagir Ulanbekov[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Cody Durden[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Andre Fili[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Lucas Almeida[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Shamil Gaziev[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Martin Buday[/autotag]: $4,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2023 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $22,707,000

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

Social media reacts to Tony Ferguson’s seventh straight loss vs. Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296

The MMA community reacted with sadness as Paddy Pimblett handed Tony Ferguson his seventh consecutive loss at UFC 296.

[autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag]’s tumultuous losing skid continued on Saturday when he fell short against [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] at UFC 296.

Former interim UFC champ Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC) dropped his seventh consecutive fight inside the octagon with a unanimous decision defeat to the polarizing Pimblett (21-3 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in their main card bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Pimblett’s victory over Ferguson at UFC 296.

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Paddy Pimblett def. Tony Ferguson at UFC 296: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Paddy Pimblett’s unanimous decision win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] at UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. (Photos by Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA Today Sports)

UFC 296 results: Paddy Pimblett dominates Tony Ferguson to final bell

Paddy Pimblett nearly finished Tony Ferguson at UFC 296, but “El Cucuy” showed vintage toughness and competitive spirit.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] put forth a dominant performance against [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] at UFC 296, despite needing all 15 minutes to get the job done.

The lightweight bout was part of the UFC 296 main card at T-Mobile Arena. Pimblett (21-3 MMA, 5-0 UFC) defeated Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

The environment inside T-Mobile Arena was turned up a notch from the moment the pre-fight promos begun. A walkout battle ensued with “Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Pimblett) against “The Party Has Just Begun” by Freestyle.

The crowd was split seemingly 50-50, with both men getting loud ovations on the introductions by Bruce Buffer.

A competitive first round would quickly turn one-sided, as a Pimblett flurry dropped Ferguson to the canvas. Ferguson hung tough and worked to survive, as referee Mark Smith took a closer look. Pimblett mounted Ferguson and landed ground-and-pound. Ferguson slowed Pimblett’s attack and survived until the end-of-round bell.

In Round 2, an errant decision by Ferguson caused him to fall off-balance. Pimblett dove into Ferguson’s guard. Ferguson threatened submissions off his back, but nothing substantial materialized and Pimblett rode out the round on top.

Ferguson looked a bit frustrated at the end of Round 2, but came out moving forward in Round 3. Despite some success on the feet, particularly in a leg kick battle, Ferguson was taken down by Pimblett midway through the round.

The final minutes of the fight were similar and different to the ground sequences in Round 2. While Pimblett was never in significant danger and in complete control, Ferguson was more aggressive with his submission attempts – but did not have luck.

Pimblett racks up another win after a year away from competition dealing with injuries. His previous fight was a controversial decision victory over Jared Gordon.

Ferguson loses his seventh fight in a row. He worked with fitness motivator David Goggins during this training camp in an effort to get his mind and body right. Goggins was in Ferguson’s corner for the bout.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 296 results include:

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

UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington watch-along live stream with MMA Junkie Radio (8 p.m. ET)

Join MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” for a live-streamed watch-along of UFC 296 in Las Vegas.

UFC 296 takes place Saturday headlined by two title fights, and MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” will host a live-streamed watch-along right here, which kicks off at 8 p.m. ET.

In the main event, welterweight champion [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] puts his belt on the line against former interim champ [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag]. And in the co-main event, [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] defends his flyweight title against [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag] in a rematch of a 2021 bout that Pantoja won by submission.

The UFC 296 main card also features [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag] in a key welterweight bout and legend [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] vs. rising star [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] at lightweight.

UFC 296 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

Below is the lineup of fights included in the watch-along:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington – for welterweight title
  • Champ Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval – for flyweight title
  • Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson
  • Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett
  • Josh Emmett vs. Bryce Mitchell

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN2/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Dustin Jacoby vs. Alonzo Menifield
  • Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa
  • Cody Garbrandt vs. Brian Kelleher
  • Ariane Lipski vs. Casey O’Neill

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