UFC 249 was not normal. It wasn’t your usual UFC event that happened every month right from the get-go. However, the way it ended solidified its place in people’s memory for the foreseeable future. A short-notice opponent in Justin Gaethje stopped one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts in Tony Ferguson. Moreover, how he did it was unexpected, to say the least.

Gaethje did not just break the 12-fight winning streak of the former interim champ, he threw it out the window of the empty arena in Jacksonville, Florida. However, it still wouldn’t be suitable to say that “El Cucuy” looked any human into the fight.

Despite not fighting his offensive rhythm, Ferguson stayed the course of more than four rounds with the most violent man in the UFC. He ate shots that would send others flying to the canvas. Even when the referee barged in, it wasn’t because Tony was down or not defending himself. It was because even Herb Dean knew that Tony was too tough for his own good.

Regardless, what was more astonishing wasn’t the fact that he got battered inside the Octagon for more than twenty minutes. It was that even after taking so much damage, Gaethje was able to give a post-fight interview that was more comprehensive than some of his pre-fight ones.

Tony Ferguson refuses to blame the loss on the weight cut

Joe Rogan is always sceptical about taking the interview of a fighter that had just been knocked out. However, it was as if he knew that Tony Ferguson is the biggest anomaly to step inside the Octagon. During the interview, Ferguson started by saying that it has been a long camp.

“It’s been a long f***ing camp. I’ve been preparing since November. The 18th one didn’t fall through. Justin was the only one who wanted to sign on the dotted line. Just a long camp. The weight cut had nothing to do with it. Justin’s a tough son of a b****,” Tony told Joe Rogan.

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Not to forget that during this long camp, Ferguson was preparing for an ace grappler in the form of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Hence, his preparations weren’t directed towards facing a heavy striker like Justin.

“I prepared for Khabib, not too much of a striker. S*** happens, man. What can you do? I would’ve preferred getting finished than someone stepping in,” Ferguson added.

Standing at 36 years of age, Tony still has an opportunity to make a run for the title while he is in his athletic prime. To do that, he is more than ready to go back to building things up from level one.

“I’ve got to go back and win the consolation rounds. Props to Justin and his team. Thank you for taking the fight, Justin,” he said.

The way he fought takes nothing away from the enigma of “El Cucuy”. Even in defeat, he has gone out in his traditional fashion, which is completely unorthodox.