UFC CEO Dana White signed off on booking Tony Ferguson against Michael Chiesa in Abu Dhabi on August 3. However, White made it clear that he wants the fight to be Ferguson’s retirement bout, win or lose.
White discussed Ferguson and his upcoming bout during the UFC 302 post-event presser. When the question of Ferguson’s retirement after the fight with Chiesa, irrespective of the result, was raised, White’s response was direct and unambiguous,
“Yeah, I hope so. Yeah. I would like to see him retire.” Here’s a look at the presser. The section takes place at the 7:35 mark.
Why Is Dana White Pushing for Tony Ferguson’s Retirement?
Ferguson is one of the greatest lightweights in MMA history. He once held a 12-fight win streak from October 2013 to May 2020.
Ferguson is a former interim champion, and he has faced a who’s who of the sport in his weight region. However, injuries have negatively affected Ferguson’s career. He’s on a miserable seven-fight losing streak, a dubious UFC record. During this string of losses, Ferguson has been stopped four times.
One of the most devastating losses in this streak was the result of a brutal front kick to the face from Michael Chandler in May 2022.
The impact of this kick was so severe that the image below, a testament to the raw power of the sport, remains unaltered.
Even in the fights, Ferguson lost via submission or decision during his skid, the veteran suffered much damage.
The wear-and-tear concern is reasonable. In his last four fights, Ferguson has absorbed 371 significant strikes, been knocked out savagely, and choked unconscious twice.
For a fighter of any age, that would be a tough stretch.
It’s especially tough for a 40-year-old who has also endured mounds of injuries all over his body.
How Has Tony Ferguson Responded to Retirement Talks?
Ferguson has been especially defiant about retirement suggestions. In February, Ferguson defiantly said “**** retiring,” and that “I’m gonna fight until the wheels fall off.” Some would argue that has already happened in the form of the current seven-fight losing streak.
Ferguson’s defiance and rebellion have been his superpowers, but many suspect he’s the last one to realize that those two characteristics might also be his biggest weakness in this situation.
It’s tough to imagine what Ferguson might want to accomplish in his career. Still, it seems as though White and the UFC may have to end their professional relationship with El Cucuy if they don’t want to continue to provide a platform for him to fight.
The full fight card for UFC Abu Dhabi hasn’t been announced, but the following fights have been confirmed.
- Men’s Bantamweight – Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
- Welterweight – Vicente Luque vs. Nick Diaz
- Men’s Bantamweight – Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
- Women’s Strawweight – Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez
- Welterweight – Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa
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