Dana White doubtful about Tony Ferguson’s long run immediately after loss

LAS VEGAS – UFC president Dana White has no apparent answers on what the foreseeable future holds for Tony Ferguson immediately after his decline at UFC 256.

Ferguson (25-5 MMA, 15-3 UFC), a previous interim UFC light-weight winner, has consecutive losses for the 1st time in his profession right after he was dominated by Charles Oliveira (30-8 MMA, 18-8 UFC) in a unanimous decision defeat in their co-principal function matchup at UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday.

After succumbing to a fifth-spherical TKO vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in May well to snap his 12-fight profitable streak, White said prior to UFC 256 that he believed there was fantastic explanation to believe Ferguson would bounce back. That did not take place, and now the UFC manager isn’t sure what’s on deck.

“I thought we had been likely to see the outdated Tony,” White advised reporters, which include MMA Junkie, put up-fight at UFC 256. “I considered that the final combat he was affected by body weight chopping and we ended up going to see (the aged Tony). 10 out of 10 people tap to that armbar (versus Oliveira). The point he even created it by the armbar is unbelievable and just a testament to how hard and sturdy and nuts Tony Ferguson is.”

Just after shedding his earlier two fights definitively, Ferguson now will be a matter of speculation. He will turn 37 in February and finds himself in the most demanding minute of his profession. Is this just a bump in the street, or is it a notable downward slide? White stated he simply cannot response that.

“Of course that is probable (he’s previous his key), but Tony needs to go home and spend the holiday seasons with his household and consider some time off and believe about what he wants to do upcoming 12 months and we’ll see what’s up coming for him,” White said. “But indeed, each and every time you battle in this business, which is usually possible.”

1 issue that seems to be a new truth for Ferguson at this position, nevertheless, is that the lightweight belt could be out of achieve for fantastic. A matchup with lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov has been just one of the most predicted fights in UFC background, but it has failed to materialize 5 instances.

It’s unfortunate, but not something White mentioned he dwells on in the present-day landscape.

“No (I really do not fret about it) it just didn’t (take place),” White claimed. “It wasn’t from deficiency of attempting. We put that battle together five moments. It just was not meant to be. I never assume about it at all.”