After multiple reports left fans and fighters concerned, Tony Ferguson is back and frankly, he's not looking for anyone's sympathy either.
Earlier this year, Ferguson's wife Christina Ferguson filed a restraining order against her husband and expressed concerns about his mental health. However, that case has since been dropped on Christina's behalf and Ferguson will now return to the octagon.
With that in mind, Ferguson is seemingly hoping to just move on, responding bluntly to MMA Junkie yesterday when asked about his response to anyone concerned. “I tell them to (expletive) off,” he said. “Stop worrying about (expletive) you can’t handle, man. It’s not your (expletive) problem. You really want to (expletive) worry about how I am? Buy my (expletive) pay-per-view. Send me some money, send me whatever, I don’t give a (expletive).
"But quit asking dumbass questions. You want to keep asking me those questions, I’m going to say (expletive) you. Straight up. I’m back, mother(expletive).”
This Saturday night at UFC 238, Ferguson will take on Donald Cerrone in a pivotal Lightweight clash. With a win, 'El Cucuy' will make it twelve straight victories while likely earning another shot at the gold too. Desperate to increase his activity anyway, this potential fight left Ferguson with a quite simple decision. “When have I ever not been ready to take a fight? I’ve been doing this (expletive) for a long time. I’ve seen the ups and downs from a lot of different things. … I’ve been around the block, man, and I know how to bounce back from anything.”
Credit to MMA Junkie for their transcript of Ferguson's comments.
UFC 238 takes place this Saturday at the United Center and will air on ESPN+ PPV. Fightful will have like coverage for the event and it's full card can be found below:
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV - 10 pm ET)
UFC Bantamweight Championship
Henry Cejudo (14-2) vs. Marlon Moraes (22-5-1)
UFC Women's Flyweight Championship
Valentina Shevchenko (16-3) (c) vs. Jessica Eye (14-6, 1NC)
Tony Ferguson (24-3) vs. Donald Cerrone (36-11)
Jimmie Rivera (22-3) vs. Petr Yan (12-1)
Tai Tuivasa (8-1) vs. Blagoy Ivanov (17-2, 1NC)
Prelims (ESPN - 8 pm ET)
Tatiana Suarez (7-0) vs. Nina Ansaroff (10-5)
Aljamain Sterling (17-3) vs. Pedro Munhoz (18-3, 1NC)
Karolina Kowalkiewicz (12-4) vs. Alexa Grasso (10-2)
Ricardo Lamas (19-7) vs. Calvin Kattar (19-3)
Early Prelims (UFC Fight Pass - 6 pm ET)
Angela Hill (9-6) vs. Yan Xiaonan (10-1, 1NC)
Darren Stewart (9-4) vs. Bevon Lewis (6-1)
Eddie Wineland (23-13-1) vs. Grigory Popov (13-1)
Katlyn Chookagian (11-2) vs. Joanne Calderwood (13-3)
