Tony Ferguson Stands Firm on Retirement Refusal: “I’ll Fight Until the End”
In a defiant stance against retirement calls, former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has reiterated his commitment to continue fighting in the MMA arena.
The 40-year-old Ferguson has faced a string of defeats, including a recent loss to the undefeated Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 in December, marking his seventh consecutive loss since his victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC 238.
Amidst speculation about his future, Ferguson remains resolute, dismissing retirement talks and expressing his determination to persevere in the sport.
During a candid discussion on Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson’s Jaxxon Podcast, Ferguson addressed the retirement discourse head-on, emphasizing his unwavering dedication to competition.
“I’m going to fight until the wheels fall off,” Ferguson asserted. “Fck retiring, dude. If you’re a competitor for the longest time – and I’m a three-sport athlete. I wanted to go back and play pro ball. I wanted to go and do another fcking thing. I wanted to do all this sh*t because I’m that guy.”
Reflecting on his relentless pursuit of competition, Ferguson highlighted his contributions during the pandemic, underlining his commitment to keeping the spirit of sports alive.
“I kept sports going, dude. Not one other motherfcker put the belt on the line to keep sports going. Btches from Khabib’s (Nurmagomedov) camp ran back to fckin’ mommy. Conor (McGregor) was telling everybody to stay inside. My ass was sitting out here fcking being the only fcking car going down 17th. street doing all this sht.”
While Ferguson’s future in the UFC remains uncertain, given his recent setbacks, his storied career includes victories over elite competitors such as Anthony Pettis, Rafael dos Anjos, and Edson Barboza. His triumph over Kevin Lee at UFC 216 earned him the interim UFC lightweight title, solidifying his status as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
As speculation swirls about Ferguson’s next move, his unwavering resolve to continue competing hints at a potential comeback, signaling his intent to reclaim victory in the MMA arena.
