Tony Ferguson has shut down rumours suggesting that he was considering retirement following his loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296. The loss, which was his seventh in a row, led many to suggest that the 39-year-old was planning to call it quits and say goodbye to the sport once and for all. But Ferguson has now revealed that he plans to stick around for sometime.
In a recent social media post where he thanked his fans and sounded really positive, Ferguson included the hashtag #NotRetiringCasuals, sending a clear message about his intention to continue fighting. He has consistently rebuffed suggestions of retirement, often expressing his desire to overcome this difficult period and return to winning ways.
Ferguson’s loss on Saturday tied him with with B.J. Penn for the longest losing streak in UFC history. This is not the sort of record someone hopes to tie or even break, and some other persons would have retired after three or four losses in a row. But everyone cannot be Ferguson.
Despite his recent struggles, Pimblett praised Ferguson after their bout, acknowledging him as a legend in the sport. Pimblett also supported Ferguson’s decision to continue fighting, emphasising that if the seasoned fighter still has the passion and motivation, he should press on.
However, UFC CEO Dana White had a different perspective on Ferguson’s situation. White openly stated that he would love to see Ferguson retire, showing a more critical stance on the veteran fighter’s career ambitions.
A former interim lightweight champion, Ferguson once had an impressive 12-fight win streak at the peak of his career. However, the past few years have been challenging for Ferguson, with his last triumph dating back to June 2019.
The current seven-fight skid has undoubtedly raised concerns about Ferguson’s ability to compete, yet, his recent declaration underscores how tough and unwilling he is to let go of his passion for the sport.
While some voices within the MMA community, including Dana White, may suggest retirement, Ferguson remains unshaken. As he navigates through this tough phase, the future will reveal whether El Cucuy can overcome adversity and add new chapters to his storied career or if his career is going to end with a minus.
Leon Osamor
