UFC legend Michael Bisping fears for Tony Ferguson’s health after his recent defeats and said: ‘The human body can only take so much’.
Ferguson went into the year as the No1 lightweight contender, having not been beaten in 12 fights.
But disaster struck in May as for the FIFTH time he saw a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov axed.
Ferguson, 36, instead fought late replacement Justin Gaethje, 31, at UFC 249 and suffered five rounds of punishment before being stopped on his feet.
In his return fight, things did not improve as Charles Oliveira, 31, dominated the American veteran for 15 minutes.
And Bisping – who retired in 2017 having held the middleweight title – reckons Ferguson’s thrilling style has now caught up with him.
He said on his Believe You Me podcast: “I just think the real story of what we’re seeing here is the rapid decline of Tony Ferguson because the human body can only take so much and Tony has been such a warrior for the UFC.
“I’ve got nothing bad to say about Tony Ferguson — and what I’m about to say, if I’m Tony, could be perceived as that way and that’s not what I’m trying to do — I have nothing but respect for Tony Ferguson.
“He is a true fighter. He’s an absolute warrior. He’s put on some sensational performances inside the octagon
“But, he’s also taken a lot of damage and often because he’s so f***ing tough he’s able to outlast his opponents, he takes this amount of damage, and then he puts the hurt on them and he gets the win.
“And it’s always in spectacular fashion, that’s why he gets so many bonuses.
“But my point and my theory is that you can only take so much. The human body has an expiry date.
“Okay, he’s not getting flatlined, he’s not getting knocked out, but he’s taking a lot of damage, he’s starting to slow down, he’s not looking quite as snappy, he’s not quite as explosive, and of course, he just lost two fights. “
