After his back to back devastating loss, Should the former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson retire? It looks like Ferguson cannot compete with the best in the division. Although, one could argue that he could still be a top 10 at least as he can still compete with them but his road to the title may have been shut. His 2 losses were to the top guys of the division.
Ferguson is getting older and is out of his prime years. He is already 36 years old which is pretty old for the division considering as one gets older, the fighter usually moves up a division. He is undoubtedly one of the best lightweights that never became the undisputed champion.
It is indeed such a shame considering he had the longest streak and the build-up to the Khabib fight was what the fans longed for a long time. He might be one of the most underrated fighters since he never became the champion, but he is also overrated at the same time since he never fought the top contenders like Poirier, Alvarez, and Mcgregor. The only legit fighter he fought was Dos Anjos and Barboza.
With time running out, Ferguson should consider hanging the gloves or even think of moving up if he ever wants a chance for the title but the welterweight is also talent stacked so it is a difficult decision. Would he want to remain the gate-keeper of the division? There is no question that there is still fire in him but his reflexes and speed are now different compared to before. He looked slow these past two fights.
Had Tony Ferguson beat Charles Oliveira, it was possible that he could have fought for the vacant lightweight belt as his next fight. Sadly, he was dominated all three rounds. Charles Oliveira looked like a complete fighter with his striking and grappling top notched. One of the most improved fighters in the UFC roster right now.
The fight of Ferguson vs Oliveira may have answered what would have happened if Khabib vs Ferguson fought, it was very likely but not guaranteed. It is worth considering that Ferguson was on a long win streak, him and Khabib had the longest active in the division. It was really the best of the best fighting.
It was also such a shame that both fighters fought on the same card on UFC 229. It was headlined by Khabib vs Mcgregor and Ferguson vs Pettis as the co-main event. It is believed to be a cursed fight since both fighters pulled out and the fight never happened after many bookings.
Even though Ferguson is not as good as he was before, he still puts on an entertaining show. His mentality is unbreakable, the armbar that Oliveira executed would have let other fighters tapped but Ferguson refused and persevered.
