For a round, Tony
Ferguson appeared to be closer to peak form than he had been in
quite some time at UFC
274.
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After a competitive opening stanza with Michael
Chandler, Ferguson succumbed to a highlight-reel front kick
from his opponent that sent him face first to the canvas 17 seconds
into Round 2. Although the former interim lightweight champion has
lost four straight fights, UFC president Dana White came away
impressed by “El Cucuy.”
“Everybody was asking me this week leading up to this fight: Is
this a make or break for Tony
Ferguson? And I said no. He’s still one of the top 10 guys in
the world, and he looked damn good in that first round, but that
was a vicious knockout,” White said at the UFC 274 post-fight press
conference.
“I think what needs to happen now is Tony needs to take some time
off after that knockout, and I don’t know. But it’s not like, ‘Oh
my God, Tony got dominated and looks like he doesn’t even belong
here.’ Tony looked damn good right up until he got caught, and you
know in this game anybody can get caught with anything.”
Ferguson was transported to a hospital after the fight and released
after his CT scans were negative. “The Ultimate Fighter 13” winner
seemed to be in good spirits after the bout.
“Congratulations to [Michael
Chandler on his victory at UFC 274. Had lots of fun in there.
You fans are f—ing wild. I love this s—t,” Ferguson wrote on
Twitter. “Feels good to be back and hungry again. We were just
getting started. Best of luck in your next fight.”
Congratulations to @MikeChandlerMMA
On his victory at UFC274. Had lots of fun in there, you fans are
Fuckin’ wild I love this shit! Feels good to be back & hungry
again. We were just getting started. Best Of Luck In Your Next
Fight- Champ # ForTheLoveOfTheGame -CSO- pic.twitter.com/cp6trgSPoX— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT)
May 9, 2022