Ferguson's Crossroads

Javier Mendez, the coach of Khabib Nurmagomedov at the American Kickboxing Academy, has shared insights on Tony Ferguson's recent seven-fight skid and the potential paths he could explore if he decides to part ways with the UFC.

At the latest UFC pay-per-view, 'El Cucuy' faced a unanimous decision loss against the emerging UK-based contender Paddy Pimblett, marking his seventh consecutive defeat in the UFC — an unfortunate tie with BJ Penn for the most consecutive losses in the promotion's history. Despite widespread speculation that Ferguson might retire following this setback, he has yet to make such an announcement.

Discussing Ferguson's career prospects, Mendez suggests that there are numerous lucrative opportunities outside the UFC should 'El Cucuy' choose to venture beyond the Las Vegas-based promotion. However, the decision to retire or continue fighting ultimately rests with Ferguson himself.

The history between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov is notable, as they were scheduled to vie for the lightweight world title on five separate occasions. Unfortunately, each time, unforeseen circumstances led to the cancellation of the bout, with the last attempt in April 2020 falling victim to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, Ferguson faced Justin Gaethje in May 2020, initiating a streak of seven consecutive defeats.

Mendez points out that several former UFC fighters have successfully revitalized their careers by transitioning to other promotions or even different sports. Notable among them is Mike Perry, whose popularity soared after leaving the UFC, with many considering him the face of BKFC.