Tony Ferguson, once a top lightweight in the UFC, has opened up about his departure from the promotion following a record-setting eight-fight losing streak. Many of Ferguson’s losses came after repeated cancellations of his anticipated bouts with Khabib Nurmagomedov, including an interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje. Ferguson admits that in many of these fights, he wasn’t performing at his best, often fighting opponents he felt weren’t fully engaged.
“I didn’t get cut from the UFC. We both [shook hands] and we both walked away,” Ferguson told MMA Fighting. He also revealed that much of his focus had been on a potential coaching opportunity on The Ultimate Fighter with Khabib, which never materialized. Without that motivation, Ferguson says he lost interest in many of the matchups available to him, contributing to his decline in enthusiasm inside the octagon.
New Chapter in Boxing, MMA Not Off the Table
Since leaving the UFC, Ferguson briefly signed with the now-defunct Global Fight League and has moved into Misfits Boxing, where he will face influencer Salt Papi on August 30. Although he isn’t ruling out a future MMA return, Ferguson is concentrating on boxing for now. He acknowledges the criticism over his age and past losses but insists that he isn’t concerned with public opinion.
“I don’t give a fck what anybody thinks about me,” Ferguson said. “It doesn’t matter who the fck is going to step in front of me come that night. I’m going to go in there and give the best possible version of myself.”
Ferguson emphasizes that his current training is aimed at regaining the discomfort and intensity he felt in his prime, ensuring that he is fully prepared for his upcoming bouts. While boxing offers him a fresh start, Ferguson’s competitive spirit suggests that a return to MMA could still be in the cards if the opportunity aligns with his goals.
