Tonight, former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson will step back into the Octagon as the UFC returns to Abu Dhabi again. Aiming to break his seven-fight losing streak since his defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249, Ferguson is eager to rebound against UFC veteran Michael Chiesa in a welterweight bout. At 40 years old, Ferguson’s continued fighting is a matter of concern for UFC CEO Dana White, who made it clear in June that he wants Ferguson to retire after this fight, win or lose.

Contrary to the opinions of White, Tony Ferguson has already stated that he has no plans to retire. Ferguson said, “I don’t feel like this is going to be my last fight. I love the UFC and this is where I’m going to stay.” Former UFC fighter Michael Bisping supports Ferguson’s decision, citing two key reasons for his continued fighting spirit. Bisping explained, “Sparring is a big factor. I’m telling you, the striking is going to be much more improved. His takedown defense will be improved. The ability to mix things up, from striking to wrestling, will be much better. Also, the fight’s at 170.”

Bisping also referenced Ferguson’s early UFC days when he won at The Ultimate Fighter 14. Ferguson himself confirmed the positive impact of his recent training, saying, “I went back to sparring and haven’t sparred in seven years with hood training partners. I put in about 120 rounds of sparing and a lot of wrestling.”

Since his UFC debut, Tony Ferguson has been considered one of the division’s elite fighters. He won his first 15 out of 16 fights but suffered consecutive defeats after 2020, significantly impacting his career trajectory. Ferguson attributes this decline to the breakup of his training team, which he mentioned during a recent UFC media day. Now part of the Orange County team, he aims to regain his winning form, defying UFC president Dana White’s push for his retirement.

Not all UFC veterans are weighing in on Tony Ferguson’s decision to continue fighting. While some believe this could be Tony Ferguson’s last fight, others like Daniel Cormier offer a different perspective than Michael Bisping on Ferguson’s future.

Daniel Cormier on Tony Ferguson’s future

Daniel Cormier, a two-division UFC champion turned successful commentator and podcaster, has spent decades in the promotion. With his extensive knowledge and experience, he is rightfully considered an MMA analyst. Recently, on his ESPN podcast “Good Guy/Bad Guy” with Chael Sonnen, Cormier predicted the end of Tony Fergusone’s era, revealing that it wouldn’t be on Ferguson’s terms.

Cormier stated on the podcast, “I do kind of think we are nearing the end. I don’t think Tony will be a guy though, who volunteers to go away. think that decisions is going to have to be made for him by someone else. I mean, the UFC or he gets put out so bad that his family goes, ‘there is no more fighting for you Tony.”

Ferguson, however, has already declared his intention to continue fighting. The UFC may have already witnessed the peak of Ferguson’s career, a period marked by a twelve-fight win streak where he defeated opponents such as Anthony Pettis and Rafael dos Anjos.

Tony Ferguson’s legacy in the UFC is undeniable. His incredible winning streak and exciting fighting style made him a fan favorite. However, the question now is whether his time at the top has passed. What are your thoughts about Tony Ferguson’s future? Should he retire or continue fighting? Share your views in the comments below.