Since last year, Dana White has strongly urged Tony Ferguson to retire from MMA, stating, “I would love to see Tony retire,” due to the veteran fighter’s prolonged struggles in the sport. The 40-year-old former interim lightweight champion hasn’t won a fight since 2019, enduring an eight-fight losing streak. His most recent defeat came in the summer of 2024 at UFC on ABC 7, where he moved up to the welterweight division in an attempt to salvage his career, facing Michael Chiesa.

However, in just one round, Chiesa’s rear-naked choke proved to be Ferguson’s undoing, setting the record for the longest losing streak in UFC history, surpassing B.J. Penn’s previous record. Following the loss, Dana White emphasized in the post-fight press conference that Ferguson’s time in MMA should come to an end, stating, “Tonight, Tony looked like he should retire.” Despite these comments, ‘El Cucuy’ appeared unfazed, leaving one glove in the Octagon as a symbolic gesture of “just in case” he decides to continue fighting.

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, former UFC rival Kevin Lee, now signed with GFL, revealed that the league is planning to launch in April 2025. When asked about potential fighters joining the new promotion, Lee expressed interest in a rematch with Tony Ferguson, saying, “I’ve heard a couple of names tossed around. The one that interests me the most is Tony Ferguson. We’ve had a great fight for the UFC championship, and I think that’s something a lot of people can get behind. That’s a fight I really want.” Lee also confirmed that ‘El Cucuy’ is in talks with GFL, sparking speculation that a rematch between the two could be in the works.

GFL is a new player in the MMA scene, offering a unique revenue-sharing model, including a rare 50-50 split for fighters. The league also promises to provide benefits like medical coverage and retirement packages. Recently, an Instagram page called NeverTapeOut reported that a heavyweight fighter on the GFL roster signed a contract worth $1.4 million per fight, and the promotion also boasts four former UFC champions.

As of now, Ferguson’s next opponent in GFL is yet to be confirmed, but it could be Kevin Lee, with whom he has a lingering rivalry after defeating Lee years ago inside the Octagon. There’s also speculation about a potential opponent from ‘Team Khabib’ adding intrigue to the American’s future in the newly forming promotion.

Ali Abdelaziz challenges Tony Ferguson with ‘Khabib’s Brother’ in GFL

Last week, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov sparked a heated debate in the MMA community by boldly claiming that Dagestan reigns supreme in the world of MMA, both professionally and at the amateur level. His assertion that Dagestan has outshined Ireland and other nations in the sport drew sharp criticism from several notable figures, including Conor McGregor. However, it was Tony Ferguson who truly stole the spotlight, unleashing a scathing verbal assault on Khabib via X.

Tony Ferguson accused Khabib of evading a fight with him, writing: “Shut up, Fathead 🖕🦹‍♂️. You’re still my b-tch. You fought 2-round ‘pro’ padded fights leading up to the @ufc. Easy to talk when you’re not competing, ya eunuch ✂️🥜. Once a coward, always a coward 🍃. – Champ 🦹‍♂️ – CSO 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽 #29-1 🍮 … okay, maybe 2.”

Ferguson also reminded fans that out of five attempts to schedule a fight between the two, Khabib was responsible for three cancellations. As fans anticipated Khabib’s response, his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, stepped in instead, issuing a challenge to ‘El Cucuy’. Abdelaziz proposed a fight against Khabib’s cousin, Abubakar Nurmagomedov, who recently signed with the GFL. Abdelaziz wrote, “Now you can fight @TeamKhabib’s brother in GFL @NurmagomedovMMA, punk.”

Adding to the intrigue, Kevin Lee’s recent comments about a potential rematch and this challenge from ‘Team Khabib’ have fueled speculation that ‘El Cucuy’ could be on the verge of making his move to the GFL. With the pieces seemingly falling into place, what’s your take on the situation? Is now the right time for Tony Ferguson to switch promotions? Share your thoughts below!