Followers of the UFC have famous the latest struggles of veteran fighter Tony Ferguson, resulting in discussions about his future within the sport. Charles Oliveira, a well-respected fighter who has shared the octagon with Ferguson, has stepped ahead to counsel a special method for matchmaking ought to Ferguson proceed his profession. Oliveira expressed concern for Ferguson’s well-being after witnessing one more defeat in August by the hands of Michael Chiesa, the place Ferguson succumbed to a first-round submission.
As a former interim light-weight champion, Ferguson has confronted a sequence of challenges in recent times, discovering himself in an unlucky eight-fight dropping streak. After his newest bout, Ferguson appeared to ponder retirement however clarified in a post-fight press convention that he nonetheless had a need to compete. Oliveira, who beforehand ended Ferguson’s championship run in 2020, praised Ferguson’s resilience and dedication to the game.
He acknowledged, “He deserves all of the respect on the earth simply to be combating nonetheless; he deserves a standing ovation for every thing he’s finished within the UFC.” With this sentiment, Oliveira proposed that UFC matchmakers ought to adapt their technique and prioritise matchmaking that will profit Ferguson, ideally pairing him with fighters round his personal age or expertise stage. Oliveira insisted that the organisation ought to chorus from pitting Ferguson towards youthful, upcoming fighters who won’t totally admire the legacy he has created. He talked about, “The man doesn’t wish to retire, he’s there, so why not get somebody with the identical vibe to placed on a giant battle?”
Oliveira’s proposal stems from the fact that Ferguson has been stopped in 5 of his final eight fights, together with defeats towards high-profile opponents like Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, and Bobby Inexperienced. The final occasion the place Ferguson confronted a fighter older than himself was again in 2019 when he achieved a victory over Donald Cerrone.
In gentle of this, Oliveira emphasised the emotional toll such a rigorous schedule can have on a fighter, significantly somebody with Ferguson’s historical past and accomplishments. They identified that it’s disheartening to see a expertise like Ferguson, who has given a lot to the game, regularly matched towards youthful, brisker competitors hungry for recognition. “That hurts him just a little bit,” Oliveira added, advocating for the UFC to be conscious of Ferguson’s legacy whereas scheduling future bouts.
As discussions round Ferguson’s future proceed, Oliveira’s perception displays a rising concern within the MMA neighborhood in regards to the therapy of veteran fighters. It requires a extra compassionate matchmaking technique that honours their contributions whereas offering them the possibility to compete on a extra even footing.
