Matt Brown continues to support Tony Ferguson, despite his recent setbacks in the UFC. Ferguson’s seventh consecutive loss, this time to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296, has raised questions about his future in the sport. Dana White, the UFC CEO, has even suggested retirement for Ferguson, but it’s not clear whether the promotion will release him or offer another fight.
Brown, however, isn’t ready to give up on Ferguson just yet. He acknowledges that Pimblett performed better against Ferguson than expected, leading to questions about both fighters’ abilities. Brown notes that Ferguson has put in the work and time, but his recent losses raise doubts about whether he’s on his last leg in his career.
One pivotal moment in Ferguson’s career that Brown mentions is his fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. While Ferguson nearly had a finish early in the fight, Gaethje ultimately punished him and secured a fifth-round stoppage. Brown believes that fight may have taken something out of Ferguson that he hasn’t fully recovered from.
He speculates that the fight with Gaethje or the one with Michael Chandler might have had a lasting impact on Ferguson’s performance. Brown suggests that Tony didn’t seem slower in his recent fight against Pimblett but questions whether the damage from past fights has affected him.
Brown also reflects on the missed opportunities for Ferguson to face Khabib Nurmagomedov and become an undisputed UFC champion. Injuries and unfortunate circumstances prevented these fights, and Ferguson’s career seemed to take a downturn.
While Brown is uncertain about Ferguson’s future, he proposes that Ferguson could explore grappling matches to gauge if he still has the skills to compete at a high level without taking punches to the head. He believes that Ferguson could potentially return to the UFC if he finds success in such matches, but it would depend on finding the right stylistic matchups to avoid unnecessary risks.
Ultimately, Matt Brown remains supportive of Tony Ferguson but acknowledges the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the fighter’s future in the UFC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about UFC career
Q: Is Tony Ferguson’s UFC career over after his recent loss to Paddy Pimblett?
A: Tony Ferguson’s future in the UFC is uncertain, with Dana White suggesting retirement, but it’s unclear if he’ll be released or offered another fight.
Q: How did Tony Ferguson perform in his fight against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296?
A: Tony Ferguson faced Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296, suffering his seventh consecutive loss. Pimblett’s performance was better than expected.
Q: What impact did Tony Ferguson’s fight with Justin Gaethje have on his career?
A: Matt Brown speculates that the fight with Justin Gaethje might have taken a toll on Tony Ferguson, and it could be a pivotal moment in his career.
Q: Were there missed opportunities for Tony Ferguson to face Khabib Nurmagomedov?
A: Yes, injuries, bad timing, and the global pandemic prevented Tony Ferguson from facing Khabib Nurmagomedov, which could have been a significant moment in his career.
Q: What does Matt Brown suggest for Tony Ferguson’s future in the UFC?
A: Matt Brown proposes that Ferguson explores grappling matches to assess his skills without taking head punches, and if successful, he could potentially return to the UFC with the right stylistic matchups.
More about UFC career
- Tony Ferguson’s UFC Record
- Dana White’s Comments on Tony Ferguson
- UFC 296: Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson
- Tony Ferguson’s Fight with Justin Gaethje
- Tony Ferguson’s Missed Opportunities to Face Khabib Nurmagomedov