Now that Tony Ferguson has been pretty decisively beaten in back-to-back fights, some have argued that ‘El Cucuy’ has exited his prime. Well, following Ferguson’s loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 256 he’s posted a statement, and according to the former interim champ, his game will continue to evolve.

Ferguson says he’s “far from retired”

Leading up to UFC 256, the consensus seemed to be that Oliveira was going to be a stiff test for Ferguson, but that the latter would likely return to the win column. The fight marked the first time Ferguson had competed since May, when he was stopped by Justin Gaethje.

While Oliveira has demonstrated numerous times how dangerous he is, so has Ferguson, and it wasn’t long ago that the latter was on a 12 fight winning streak. Even the people who were picking Oliveira to beat Ferguson, probably didn’t think the fight would unfold like it did.

Oliveira dominated the fight with his wrestling and top game.

Well, since the clear-cut, decision loss, Ferguson shared out this statement.

My Crew ? No Excuses, I Felt Flat. I Went Out & Welcomed The Attack Instead Of Defend. The Warm Up Time In The Back for @UFC Hasn’t Been The Same Since Pre-COVID. Still No Excuses, Times Change & So Do People ??? The Time From Hotel To UFC Apex Is Much More Condensed & The Aggressive Level We Needed Was Not Reached. My Fault. ?
After The Fight, We Were Checked By Doctors & Went Back To The Hotel. I Felt It Was In Order To Hit Pads/Spar Immediately Because The Fight Was Fresh In My Mind & Blood Circulation In My Arm Was Needed. I Really Needed To Figure Out What The F’n Problem Was From The Fight, Solution **Pre-Fight Time?Management**
Chuck Was Looking Take My Back or Go For The Armbar As Soon As We Hit The Mat. Thus I Didn’t Worry About The Mount, Kid Was Slick But So Am I. I Was Looking For The Knockout Standing & D’arce From Bottom Position Once We Hit Jits Transitions. It Was Fun Fighting Against A Wetblanket (AKA “Heavy Pressure Opponent”) Mark My Words,That Scenario Won’t Happen Again. Period.
My Arm Is Aright, The Armbar Was Really Tight. The Thought Of My Son ArmandAnthony’s Ability To Be Double Jointed In His Elbow During That Sequence & My Mental Capacity To Endure Pain Got Me Through It. # Breathe # Mental?TUFness. One ☝️
I’m Beyond Grateful & Thankful For My Talents ? I Have Learned So Much About Myself This Year & What My Purpose In Life Is. My Search For That Epic Word Called “greatness” Isn’t Over. Understand Crew ? We Are Far From Being Retired, So Message To My Haters?? ? *ShaBam*
Shout Out To My Team I Put Together On Three Weeks Notice. We’re Still Green?Boys Thanks For Not Deserting?Me. (Team, We’re Barely Scratching The Surface To What We Can Truly Accomplish & For That I Say Amen). It Was Great Making Weight & Being Around My Fight Fam For The Week. I Can’t Wait Til We Compete In Front Of A Big Loud Crowd Again, It’s Not The Same Without You All
??‍♂️?
Recovery?Moad # Happy⛄️Holidayze Crew ? Champ Shit Only™️ Mi Gente “Never Give Up & Keep The?Faith” Champ ?⚾️ -XTA- Hometeam ????? # BecauseHashbrownsAreDelicious

Reaction?

So, the fact Ferguson is shooting down any talk about retirement isn’t a surprise. While he’s crediting Oliveira here, it seems like Ferguson believes the loss was more about having an off night, than a decline in his game.

To write Ferguson off as a contender right now would be silly. His last two losses have come against ridiculously talented and tough fighters.

But, if he can make another championship run at this stage of his career – he turns 37 in February – it will be a very impressive accomplishment.

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