ABU DHABI – Tony Ferguson sees new life at welterweight ahead of UFC on ABC 7.
Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC) will look to avoid the longest losing streak in UFC history when he takes on Michael Chiesa (16-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC) on Saturday’s main card (ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+) at Etihad Arena.
Ferguson has competed only once at 170 pounds since winning Season 13 of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2011, but he sees it as a more natural fit. He thinks he should have stuck around at welterweight from the start.
“I feel heavy,” Ferguson told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC on ABC 7 media day. “One hundred and seventy pounds is a lot better than 155. I don’t have to worry about cutting those last couple of pounds, which is amazing. I feel strong, I feel sharp, and I feel ready.”
UFC CEO Dana White said he hopes this is Ferguson’s last fight, but “El Cucuy” has no intention of walking away after Saturday, despite his current seven-fight losing streak.
“Well, we want Dana to do a lot of sh*t, too, so we can’t discredit that one either,” said Ferguson, who once won 12 fights in a row. “So I’m being real with it. At 170 pounds, I’m not killing myself to get to 155. I do feel fresher. One hundred and fifty-five pounds is closer to my high school wrestling weight. …
One hundred and seventy pounds, I feel comfortable. I don’t feel like this is going to be my last fight. I have to do some extraordinary sh*t, is what I’m planning to do. So, that’s why I feel sharp.”
Ferguson, 40, has no desire to fight outside of the octagon, and hopes the UFC remains his home.
“I love the UFC, and this is where I’m going to stay,” Ferguson said. “So, I have to earn that right. I do have seven losses, but who gets an eighth chance except for me? I don’t ever ask for a lot of sh*t, so I’m asking myself to go out there and do the best performance I possibly can so that way I can retain my spot. I do want to be here. I don’t want to go fight for another organization. Where the f*ck am I going to go? BKFC and have Conor (McGregor) work for me again? No, I don’t want to do that sh*t.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.
