Tony Ferguson isn’t performed simply but.
The previous UFC interim light-weight champion seems able to resume his profession in 2025 after teasing his return to motion in a brand new submit on social media. Ferguson, 40, final fought this previous August when he suffered a submission loss to Michael Chiesa on the UFC Struggle Evening occasion in Abu Dhabi, which marked his eighth straight defeat within the octagon.
“Fully destroyed myself to reinvent it,” Ferguson wrote on Instagram. “As an artist, I goal to point out one thing you’ve by no means seen earlier than. Completely satisfied New 12 months crew. 2025 in my sights
“Keep tuned and watch the magic unfold. New missions acknowledged. Struggle information coming quickly.”
Ferguson didn’t handle the place he can be combating, though it appeared his run with the UFC got here to an finish following that loss to Chiesa. He briefly contemplated retirement after that loss however then remained steadfast in his want to compete once more simply a few months later.
“F*ck no I’m not retiring,” Ferguson mentioned this previous October. “I’m too previous to retire. I’m 40 years previous. I’m midway to 80, I’ve been competing since I used to be 5 years previous in a number of sports activities. I wrestled in school, I’ve performed all the opposite stuff, and you realize what? It’s not like I don’t know the rest. I do. I’m nonetheless in a position to compete. When any person is ready to run or dash quicker than me then possibly I’ll begin to take into account it.
“However what I really want is to seek out that teaching, that self-discipline round different folks, being uncomfortable in follow in order that manner you’re not depressing within the struggle… That’s the place we’re at proper now.”
At his peak, Ferguson was thought-about one of many prime two lightweights within the sport alongside former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. These two had been scheduled to face one another a number of instances through the years however sadly one catastrophe or one other prevented them from ever really assembly within the cage.
Nurmagomedov finally retired from the game however Ferguson by no means slowed down with eight fights over the previous 4 years, which included matchups towards opponents corresponding to Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.
Whereas the UFC is probably not an choice, Ferguson may nonetheless land with any variety of promotions together with PFL, BKFC and even the upstart International Struggle League, which has been signing veteran fighters left and proper with plans to launch a team-based MMA promotion in 2025.
With a 25-11 report general, Ferguson clearly hopes to show issues round in his profession when he fights once more with all indicators pointing in direction of his return someday within the New 12 months.
