After setting a new record for the most consecutive losses in UFC history, many speculated that Tony Ferguson would announce his retirement following his recent bout. Ferguson suffered a first-round submission loss to Michael Chiesa, prompting cynics to suggest it was the ideal moment for him to step away from the sport.
However, during a post-fight interview, Chiesa offered Ferguson the microphone on the nationally televised event, allowing him the opportunity to officially retire. Instead, Ferguson surprised everyone by deciding to keep one glove on, symbolically leaving the possibility open for another fight in the future.
While the likelihood of competing again in the UFC seems low, Ferguson has faced long odds before, having previously ended a five-fight losing streak. Now, he finds himself tied with B.J. Penn for seven consecutive losses, a statistic that highlights the struggles many fighters face after a few defeats.
At a post-fight news conference in Abu Dhabi, Ferguson stated that if the UFC doesn’t welcome him back after this losing streak, he would pursue other opportunities. “If the UFC doesn’t want me back, then we go figure out something else,” he said. He expressed confidence that fans would follow him, regardless of where he competed next.
Ferguson, who turned 40 in February, reflected on his past achievements, noting that he has accumulated numerous accolades and performance bonuses throughout his career. He alluded to a potential future in bareknuckle boxing, given its requirement for fighters to wear wrestling or boxing shoes, a gear choice he expressed nostalgia for.
He emphasized his unique position in the sport, suggesting that he embodies something greater than the traditional concept of a “greatest of all time” (GOAT) fighter. “I have a lot of gold medals and now I have a couple losses. Who the f*ck else is going to do that? Only a BOAT, dog. That’s the only sh*t,” he claimed, referring to himself as the “Baddest of All Time” (BOAT).
Ferguson previously enjoyed a remarkable 12-fight winning streak and had notable victories against top competitors, including Edson Barboza and Donald Cerrone. His current eight-fight losing streak began after a title fight against Justin Gaethje in May 2020, a fight that could have finally led to a matchup with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
As the MMA world looks on, Ferguson’s next steps remain uncertain, but his passion for competition and the sport continues to drive him.