Tony Ferguson has broken his silence following his submission loss to Bobby Green at UFC 291, addressing the controversial eye poke incident and his plans for the future.
In the highly anticipated bout on the main card of UFC 291 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Tony Ferguson aimed to break his losing streak. Hoping to bounce back from his previous submission loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 279, ‘El Cucuy’ sought his first victory since defeating Donald Cerrone in June 2019.
Bobby Green, on the other hand, was also eager for redemption after a no-contest ruling in his last due to an accidental clash of heads. The 36-year-old lightweight had suffered back-to-back knockout losses to Drew Dober and Islam Makhachev.
During the intense ‘Ferguson vs. Green’ clash, both showcased their skills, with Ferguson knocking down Green in the opening round and Green dominating in round two. In the final moments of the third round, Ferguson attempted a takedown but ended up in a vulnerable position, leading to Green’s arm triangle that ultimately put Ferguson to sleep.
Bobby Green defeats Tony Ferguson via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in the 3rd at UFC 291
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— The Octagon Obsessed (@octagonobsessed) July 30, 2023
After, Tony Ferguson took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the match. He expressed his belief that Bobby Green’s eye poke significantly impacted his vision, making it difficult to see clearly. Despite this, Ferguson persevered, refusing to quit despite the doctor’s recommendation.
In his statement, Ferguson acknowledged that setbacks are part of the sports journey but did not use the eye poke as an excuse for the loss. He expressed his determination to continue pushing forward and striving for greatness, thanking his wife, family, and fans for their unwavering support.
“Walked into the Delta Center to show the world I was back on track. The preparation for this fight was exceptional, and it was one of the best camps I’ve had. As the fight began, I was in the zone, flowing, and feeling confident. Bobby knew the direction of the fight, and I believe he knew what he was doing when he poked my eye. He has a big history of moves like this. It significantly impaired my vision, making it difficult to see clearly out of my eye. Despite this eye poke, I never considered stopping the fight, even though the doc wanted to. Throughout my career, I’ve always pushed through challenges and never given up. This time was no different.”
Tony Ferguson continued:
“Unfortunately, in sports, setbacks like this are part of the journey. While I won’t use the eye poke as an excuse for the outcome, I know for a fact I have more to give. Moving forward, I plan to work closely with Dana, Hunter, and my entire team to assess what’s next. I’d like to take a moment to say thank you to my Wife, my Family, and my Fans. Your support means the world to me, and it’s what drives me to keep pushing forward and striving for greatness. Thank you all for being by my side through the highs and lows of this sport that I love. Eye appointment tomorrow, some recovery, and back after it. Love you all – Champ – CSO – #ufc291 Salt Lake City, Utah.”
Ferguson’s post was edited for clarity, the original is attached below.
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Since 2014, Benny A. King has been fully immersed in the world of combat sports. Starting with a blog about Greco Roman wrestling, Benny’s passion for combat sports has led him to explore various disciplines.