Regardless of the incredible high level of competition a fighter faces when competing for the UFC, losing six consecutive fights is difficult to overcome. That is what is facing Tony Ferguson as he prepares to compete for the first time since last September this weekend at UFC 291.
UFC 291: The Return – And Possible Exit – Of Tony Ferguson
To say it has been a tumultuous few months – heck, years for that matter – for Tony Ferguson would be putting it lightly.
The former interim title holder returns to action Saturday night at UFC 291 when he collides with Bobby Green in a featured bout from Salt Lake City, Utah and the Delta Center.
On the same card, a former opponent of Ferguson’s, Justin Gaethje, headlines. Gaethje and Dustin Poirier collide in a rematch for the “BMF” title.
But enough about that, this is focused on Ferguson and if it could be the final time we see him compete inside the Octagon.
Tony Ferguson Struggles In And Out Of The Cage
First what we can see in terms of black and white, wins and losses.
For Ferguson, his last win came in 2019 when he forced the doctor to stop his bout at UFC 238 with Donald Cerrone. At the time, that marked the 25th win in 28 pro fights, and the 12th consecutive.
All in all, one of the top marks for an athlete that we have seen in quite some time – especially in the UFC and at lightweight. Ferguson bested the likes of Josh Thomson, Edson Barboza, Rafael dos Anjos, Anthony Pettis and Cerrone.
His win over Kevin Lee in 2017 netted him the interim lightweight title. An injury, though, would force Ferguson to later relinquish the belt.
Flash-forward to 2020 and that was the beginning of another streak. Gaethje stopped him and Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush followed with decision wins.
Last year, Michael Chandler knocked Ferguson out in devastating fashion and Nate Diaz capped the five-fight losing streak with a submission win.
Ferguson also had a May incident in California where he was charged with driving under the influence after allegedly crashing his pickup truck into two other vehicles outside of a club. He was taken into custody and booked before being released.
If It Is The End, It Has Been Incredible
There are not many built like Tony Ferguson. From his start as a standout high school and later collegiate wrestler, Ferguson has always put on a show.
He was The Ultimate Fighter 13 winner and his bout with Pettis was declared by many as the “Fight of the Year.” Six times he has been involved in “Fight of the Night” bouts, winning five of them.
Ferguson’s 12-fight win streak is tied with Khabib Nurmagomedov for the longest in UFC history and his 14 finishes in the lightweight division are matched by only Cerrone.
