While Tony Ferguson currently sits at #3 on the UFC’s official lightweight rankings, he is content to partake in fights where title belts aren’t on the line.
Ferguson has been on a tear of the UFC’s lightweight division lately, going on a spectacular 8-fight win streak that has seen him finish all but two opponents. Over the course of his 3-year 8-fight streak, Ferguson has finished notable opponents such as Abel Trujillo, and Edson Barboza to name just a few.
Ahead of his upcoming UFC Fight Pass scrap with former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos on November 5th, Ferguson is focused on clearing out the division, not the lightweight championship.
He spoke on Submission Radio:
“Honestly, all those whiney bitches can fight over the belt,” Ferguson told Submission Radio. “When I get to that spot, they better seriously recycle that belt because so many damn filthy hands have been on it. Seriously, I’m the only one that’s been earning the shit in this division. You can talk your way to the division (McGregor) and you can sit out for the longest time and try to wait for a title shot (Nurmagomedov) — I’ve been earning my way up the whole entire time, taking great fights, taking moderate fights, but no matter what, coming out with finishes.
“No matter what, I’m a very entertaining fighter,” he said. “I might not talk or be as savvy on that side, but that’s because I choose not to because I don’t like that spot… So for me, when I heard the news, I don’t give a shit personally because either way, that’s more fun for me because that’s more asses to whoop and for more fans to watch. So welcome to the family, if you really want to be in the shark tank, because I’m the only hammerhead in this fucking division, man. I’m tired of it. All these other little dudes, they’re a bunch of pansies. They need to stop dressing up in suits and worrying about the labels and money and stuff like that and realize what really fighting’s about — that’s pride and doing your best and not worrying about the other bullshit. I’m tired of it, man.”
“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” Ferguson said. “A lot of those dudes are shooting to the top, but it’s almost like fighting with a damn genie, dude. You almost kind of cheat your way up there. And then when you win there, then you kind of realize, ‘Oh shit, it’s not the same kind of win.’ It’s kind of funny…. I’m taking my time, dude. And I told you, when I get to that title shot, I’m gonna be the first one to hold on to it like three or four times. That shit ain’t going nowhere and I’ll retire and leaves my gloves in the middle of that ring.
With the opportunity to defeat a former champion on November 5th, Ferguson could very well find himself at the top of a stacked lightweight division. It is important to mention however that on November 12th, the lightweight belt will be on the line when Conor McGregor & Eddie Alvarez square off in the main event of UFC 205. Also on the card, Khabib Nurmagomedov will square off against Michael Johnson in a fight that could very well see Nurmagomedov finally secure himself a lightweight title shot.