UFC 249: Dana White Praises Justin Gaethje, But Thinks Tony Ferguson Looked “Off”

Due to the fact Tony Ferguson made weight for UFC 249’s original date, April 18th, concerns were raised about whether making weight two times in less than a month, could hurt “El Cucuy’s” performance.

Well, following Ferguson’s loss to Justin Gaethje on Saturday, Dana White questioned whether the weight cuts could have indeed diminished the former champ.

White says Ferguson looked “off”

As everyone expected would be the case, Ferguson and Gaethje went to war in the headliner of UFC 249. Although Ferguson showed a ton of heart and toughness, Gaethje bested the renowned fighter in many of their exchanges.

In round five, after Gaethje cracked a bloodied and battered Ferguson several more times, the fight was stopped.

Well, after the memorable bout,  White had this to say about it while talking to the media (quote via MMA Fighting).

“I don’t want to take anything away from Gaethje, because he fought an incredible fight,” White said . “But I thought Tony looked off tonight. I thought he looked slow, and I would have to imagine that cutting weight twice in a month will affect you. So I don’t know if that’s it or what.

“The guy isn’t human. He’s got a chin. Nobody takes Gaethje’s punches like that – nobody I’ve seen since I’ve been watching Gaethje fight. But this kid did.”

As noted above, others wondered whether having two weight cuts in a span of three weeks, would take too much out of Ferguson. Others argued that since Ferguson has extensive wrestling experience, it wouldn’t play a big factor.

Ultimately, only Ferguson knows whether he felt a bit slower and if so, if it was because of the weight cuts.

White backs the stoppage

Although Ferguson’s face was a bloody mess, and it looked like his nose had also been broken, not everyone believes the fight should have been stopped. According to White, however, he would have been okay if the bout would have been halted earlier.

“Chuck Liddell is blowing me up saying that was a horrible stoppage, and that’s crazy,” White said. “I think the fight could have been stopped a little sooner.

“Tony took a lot of damage tonight. Not only did he take a lot of damage, he took damage from a guy who f*cking hits like a truck, a guy who hits very hard, and usually knocks people unconscious when he hits people.

So I actually think the stoppage was great, and I think it could have been stopped sooner.”

Ya. By round five, it was getting tough watching Ferguson absorb so many punishing shots. Hopefully he emerges from the fight okay.

One would think, however, that we won’t see “El Cucuy” fight until late 2020. But you never know. Ferguson is an intense competitor and he may call on the UFC to get him back in there sooner than later.