Tony Ferguson is confident that he is on the cusp of his prime as he prepares for his upcoming UFC 291 bout against Bobby Green.
Despite being on a five-fight losing streak, Ferguson remains undeterred and is determined to prove his critics wrong. Last September, he suffered a submission loss to Nate Diaz. Prior to that, he faced setbacks against Michael Chandler (KO), Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira (both by decision), and Justin Gaethje (KO).
These losses have led many fans to call for his retirement, but Ferguson refuses to entertain such thoughts.
Ferguson said during UFC 291 media day: “I’m gonna be real with you guy. It’s always been cool, I feel at this time in my life that I’m just barely hitting my prime, which is crazy. One of my coaches, Juan, earlier we were doing mitts between interviews and I told him, ‘I’ve been getting up early and I just have to lay down.”
“I know I have to lay down.’ I got up and I did my interview and I was like, ‘Hey, is there a room open?’ Everyone said yeah. I said, ‘I’ll be right there and bring your mitts.’ Didn’t even wrap up. I went and I hit the pads and I’m f**king sharp. I’m really sharp right now. I’m just as sharp as I look, baby.”
Tony Ferguson not only believes in his prime, but he also anticipates defeating Bobby Green at UFC 291. He envisions it as the beginning of his journey towards claiming an UFC title.
Ferguson’s goal is to compete in five more matches and secure the coveted title before contemplating retirement from the sport.
He wrote: “F**k you, I’m gonna be done when I want to be done. But I’m also gonna have to do what I have to do in order to get where I want to get. Five fights and a title, baby. I’m out.”
With a professional record of 25-8, Tony Ferguson’s last victory came in 2019 when he defeated Donald Cerrone.