Tony Ferguson has reaffirmed his intention to stay active and has a significant plan in place for after UFC 296.
On December 16 in Las Vegas, Ferguson (25-9 MMA, 15-7 UFC) will face Paddy Pimblett (20-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in an attempt to end a six-fight losing streak. Ferguson was intrigued when the name Pimblett was mentioned, and if he can return to winning ways, the former interim lightweight champion plans to pursue another worldwide icon.
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Tony Ferguson Disagrees With Dana White On His Release
Tony Ferguson is not giving up easily.
As part of the UFC 296 pay-per-view (PPV) event in Las Vegas, the former interim lightweight champion will square off against 155-pound rising star Paddy Pimblett in an attempt to snap his terrible six-fight losing run.
Dana White, CEO of the UFC, is prepared to release “El Cucuy” as a loser.
“I don’t want to retire, it’s not in my f*cking thought process,” Ferguson told ESPN. “It’s not about getting cut. It’s not about doing all this stuff. It’s about competing. And what I did was I started competing without; one—having fun, and two—really giving 100 percent into my training. I thought I did, but that means I have to be coachable. I have to be a student again. I have to ask for help.”
Ferguson, 39, would undoubtedly have a new lease on life in combat sports if he defeated Pimblett. Naturally, “El Cucuy” has plans for after Pimblett, including a long-standing rivalry with former lightweight champion Conor McGregor.
Ferguson won the interim championship at UFC 216 in October 2017 and was scheduled to face Conor McGregor at that time, however, the match never materialised.
Ferguson claims to have reconnected with his previous squad and maintains that despite his recent losing run, he hasn’t lost any ground.
Ferguson acknowledged the rumour that the UFC might be exploiting him to boost Pimblett’s star power, but the 39-year-old insisted that his drive to compete is still present.
