Despite sitting on a near-history-making six-fight losing streak, Tony Ferguson has never once considered hanging up his gloves.
On December 16, ‘El Cucuy’ will look to climb back into the win column for the first time in more than three years when he steps inside the Octagon for a highly anticipated clash with UK standout Paddy Pimblett. With news of his next bout being broken by UFC CEO Dana White, Ferguson appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani to discuss his upcoming contest.
But first, the pair spoke about the former interim champ’s struggles to find the win column in recent years. Asked if he had ever contemplated retirement amid his losing streak, Ferguson said the thought had never once crossed his mind.
“I’m not ready to retire,” Ferguson said. “Getting cut, retiring was never in my thought process. It’s not easy to do what we do inside of that cage, it takes a lot of f*cking balls… I’m blessed to be able to do what I do and it’s never been a thought in my head to retire.
“I’ve been competing for 35 years, and I don’t know anything different but to win, and know how to lose. I don’t like to lose. I f*cking hate losing, but I do know how to lose. I don’t like to be a sore loser. I want to get back on my bike and keep moving forward.”
Tony Ferguson: I'm not ready to retire.#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/58PcE9MGwd
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 2, 2023
Tony Ferguson Comments on His Contest with ‘Fat F*ck’ Paddy Pimblett
After dropping his sixth straight to ‘King’ Bobby Green at UFC 291 in July, many called for ‘El Cucuy’ to walk away from the sport. Instead, Ferguson will strap on his gloves for one more go against a fighter riding a six-fight win streak, Paddy Pimblett. Speaking about his opponent, Ferguson offered a laundry list of facts and observations about the Liverpudlian in his own unique way.
“I’m not gonna say he’s a fat f*ck. Just kidding,” Ferguson said. “So, Patrick. You’re talking about Patrick. I call him Patrick. He’s a good fighter. He’s long-range. He’s lanky. He likes to put on a show. He’s kind of mouthy. Obviously, he’s English. I think he used to fight at 145. [He’s a] 155’er. Tall kind of guy. Good submission specialist. Very beatable.
“He’s on a six-fight win streak The last fight that he had against Jared Gordon, everybody says that he ended up losing. Tonight, I’m actually going to be watching that fight just to watch a couple of highlights of him. Very beatable guy. Six-fight win streak vs. six-loss streak. It’s f*cked up.”
Tony Ferguson gives his thoughts on Paddy Pimblett.#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/foDaBjXhHD
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 2, 2023
Tony Ferguson’s suggestion that the match-making is “f*cked up” echos the sentiments of many fighters and fans who were quick to call out the UFC for seemingly putting ‘El Cucuy’ out to pasture for the sole purpose of giving their budding British superstar a big win to pad his resume.
But when you take into account Paddy Pimblett‘s lackadaisical performance against Jared Gordon last year, ‘The Baddy’ may be in for more than a walk in the park when he steps inside the Octagon with Ferguson at UFC 296.
Watch the full interview from The MMA Hour below:
