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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 05: Tony Ferguson poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena on October 05, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ferguson will fight Anthony Pettis in a lightweight bout at UFC 229 on October 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 05: Tony Ferguson poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena on October 05, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ferguson will fight Anthony Pettis in a lightweight bout at UFC 229 on October 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Tony Ferguson will return to the welterweight division after a decade. The Ultimate Fighter season 13 winner will take on China’s Li Jingliang in the co-main event of UFC 279.
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While the former interim UFC lightweight champion is coming off four straight losses to the top of the 155 lbs, he issued a warning for 170 lbs athletes ahead of his welterweight comeback.
Tony Ferguson is ready to go to war at UFC 279
Tony Ferguson will move up a division after he had a tough time at lightweight. The holder of the longest win-streak record in the lightweight division (12 with Khabib Nurmagomedov) had a steep decline, with four losses. The first of these came against Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. However, ‘El Cucuy’ reminded fans of his welterweight run in the past.
In an appearance on the Countdown show for a UFC 279 promotional clip, Tony Ferguson said, “I won The Ultimate Fighter Championship at 170 pounds. I knocked every person out. I’m not gonna hold it back. I’m going to win this fight.”

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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 05: Tony Ferguson of the United States raises his hand after facing Rafael Dos Anjos of Brazil in their lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on November 5, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Ferguson showed he will be ready to perform in the co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 10.
Read More – Is Tony Ferguson a Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu?
‘El Cucuy’ has already beaten many fighters that have moved to the welterweight class at some point in their career. Some of the names include the likes of former interim 170 lbs title challenger Rafael dos Anjos, Kevin Lee, Anthony Pettis, and Donald Cerrone.
As Tony Ferguson had his arms raised against these men in lightweight bouts, questions remain about his ability to find success against a pure welterweight.
Who is Li Jingliang and how has he fared in the UFC?
Li Jingliang is a Chinese mixed martial artist who is competing in the American promotion, the Ultimate Fighting Championship since 2014. Also known as ‘The Leech‘, the China-based fighter debuted in the promotion at UFC 173.
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Many hardcore fans already know him as one of the best male UFC athletes from China, who has a lethal knockout power in his hands. With an 11-5 UFC record, the China Top Team standout has fought various styles inside the Octagon. Thus, a contest against an unorthodox Tony Ferguson will be exciting to witness.
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What do you make of Tony Ferguson’s remark about his past 170 pounds run? Share your views in the comments below.
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