UFC CEO Dana White has approved a fight between Tony Ferguson and Michael Chiesa in Abu Dhabi on August 3, with the stipulation that it be Ferguson’s retirement bout, win or lose. White made this clear during a post-event press conference, expressing his desire to see Ferguson retire. This decision has raised questions about why White is pushing for Ferguson’s retirement.
Tony Ferguson is considered one of the greatest lightweights in MMA history, with a former interim championship title and a 12-fight win streak to his name. However, injuries have taken a toll on Ferguson’s career, leading to a seven-fight losing streak, with four of those losses coming via stoppage. One of the most devastating losses was from a brutal front kick to the face by Michael Chandler in May 2022, showcasing the raw power of the sport.
Even in fights where Ferguson lost via decision or submission during this losing streak, he has sustained significant damage. In his last four fights alone, Ferguson has absorbed 371 significant strikes, been knocked out, and choked unconscious twice. This level of damage is concerning, especially for a 40-year-old fighter who has already dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career.
Despite talks of retirement, Tony Ferguson has remained defiant, stating in February that he has no plans to retire and will continue fighting until the wheels fall off. However, many believe that Ferguson’s defiance may be his biggest weakness at this point in his career. It remains to be seen what Ferguson hopes to achieve by continuing to fight, but it is becoming increasingly clear that White and the UFC may need to cut ties with him if he refuses to retire.
The full fight card for UFC Abu Dhabi has not been announced yet, but the confirmed fights include matchups such as Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov in the Men’s Bantamweight division, Vicente Luque vs. Nick Diaz in the Welterweight division, and Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa. With Ferguson facing off against Chiesa in what could potentially be his retirement bout, fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this fight and what it could mean for Ferguson’s future in the sport.
