Tony Ferguson didn’t hold back during media day.
In his first media appearance in a year, Ferguson took to reporters ahead of his highly-anticipated lightweight fight with Michael Chandler at UFC 274.
Of course, the pair have history, most notably when Ferguson stated Chandler had “Dana White privilege” which is why he earned a title shot so quickly.
It was funny for everyone at the time, including White, but Ferguson doesn’t find it so funny anymore.
“I don’t think it’s very funny,” Ferguson told Middleeasy. “Everybody is looking at it. They’re smiling and laughing, but nobody is saying sh*t. I’m the kid that’s up here with Dana Brown privilege, I guess, or whatever you want to call it. I don’t think it’s very funny anymore. I don’t think you guys should think that’s very funny.
“I’m taking this weekend very f*cking seriously. I’ll kick this Dana White boy’s ass.”
Tony Ferguson: Dana White Is Like A Drug Dealer
Ferguson would also comment on fighter pay.
Fighter pay has been a hot topic in recent years, with more and more fighters being outspoken against White and the promotion for not being paid what they’re worth.
“El Cucuy” — who has commented on his pay in the past — is no different as he went off on White for recent comments he made saying boxers were overpaid along with retaliation tactics from the UFC.
“I think we’re underpaid, personally, to be real,” Ferguson said. “… I asked Dana to box. He said, ‘F*ck no.’ I’m like, ‘Why? I want to go play baseball. I want to go do other pro sports. I’m an athlete. I grew up playing different sports at a high level. … I want to go do all these couple things but then I have this guy right here acting like a f*cking drug dealer telling me I can’t go and do this sh*t. I want to go make more money for my family.
“… You make your money by showing up, winning and having good performances. Right now, we’re getting paid crypto, I guess, huh? They’re following everybody’s suit. They’re waiting for everybody to speak up. They’re waiting for everything else like that.”
Ferguson would expand more on the promotion later on.
“The promoters here, they act like drug dealers sometimes,” he added. “They throw around a couple bucks like, ‘Come here, kid. Come here, kid. Come here, kid. Take this. Take this. Take this. Take this.’ If you don’t have the will to say no to that stupid sh*t, you’re going to get f*cked. I’ve seen Terrance McKinney in the same f*cking way and a couple other people. Even for me to go out there, I had to say no a couple times. I had to f*cking ignore Dana’s call once during the pandemic. I’m chilling, man. I’m skateboarding. You know why? Because you didn’t answer my phone call.”
One thing is for sure — Ferguson, who is looking to end a three-fight losing skid, certainly has a chip on his shoulder going into his battle with Chandler this weekend.
