Fans of the UFC have noted the recent struggles of veteran fighter Tony Ferguson, leading to discussions about his future in the sport. Charles Oliveira, a well-respected fighter who has shared the octagon with Ferguson, has stepped forward to suggest a different approach for matchmaking should Ferguson continue his career. Oliveira expressed concern for Ferguson’s well-being after witnessing yet another defeat in August at the hands of Michael Chiesa, where Ferguson succumbed to a first-round submission.
As a former interim lightweight champion, Ferguson has faced a series of challenges in recent years, finding himself in an unfortunate eight-fight losing streak. After his latest bout, Ferguson seemed to contemplate retirement but clarified in a post-fight press conference that he still had a desire to compete. Oliveira, who previously ended Ferguson’s championship run in 2020, praised Ferguson’s resilience and dedication to the sport.
He stated, “He deserves all the respect in the world just to be fighting still; he deserves a standing ovation for everything he’s done in the UFC.” With this sentiment, Oliveira proposed that UFC matchmakers should adapt their strategy and prioritise matchmaking that would benefit Ferguson, ideally pairing him with fighters around his own age or experience level. Oliveira insisted that the organisation should refrain from pitting Ferguson against younger, upcoming fighters who might not fully appreciate the legacy he has created. He mentioned, “The guy doesn’t want to retire, he’s there, so why not get someone with the same vibe to put on a big fight?”
Oliveira’s proposal stems from the reality that Ferguson has been stopped in five of his last eight fights, including defeats against high-profile opponents like Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, and Bobby Green. The last instance where Ferguson faced a fighter older than himself was back in 2019 when he achieved a victory over Donald Cerrone.
In light of this, Oliveira emphasised the emotional toll such a rigorous schedule can have on a fighter, particularly someone with Ferguson’s history and accomplishments. They pointed out that it is disheartening to see a talent like Ferguson, who has given so much to the sport, continually matched against younger, fresher competition hungry for recognition. “That hurts him a little bit,” Oliveira added, advocating for the UFC to be mindful of Ferguson’s legacy while scheduling future bouts.
As discussions around Ferguson’s future continue, Oliveira’s insight reflects a growing concern in the MMA community about the treatment of veteran fighters. It calls for a more compassionate matchmaking strategy that honours their contributions while providing them the chance to compete on a more even footing.
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