Following the promotion’s final event of 2021, UFC President Dana White revealed to Cageside Press that he had a fight lined up for Tony Ferguson.
During his UFC Vegas 45 post-fight press conference appearance, White went on record to say that “I think we have a fight for Tony Ferguson. I think we have him lined up with somebody,” without specifying who.
On Saturday, Ferguson himself let the cat out of the bag, responding to a Tweet by Michael Chandler — and accusing him of trying to delay the potential fight between them.
“There’s my b*tch!!! Michael Chandler, the Brass [UFC/Dana White] relayed your message saying you would be ready for me April/June,” Ferguson wrote. “Looks like your (sic) trying to delay that ass-whoopin’ I owe ya for cutting in line kid- It’s wrestling season MF, man up- Champ.”
Ferguson’s response came after “Iron” Mike replied with “me too” when a fan suggested he’d like Conor McGregor to face Chandler next. Chandler had previously gone on record saying he’d love the McGregor fight, so this is nothing new. Prior to Saturday, the match-up between Ferguson and Chandler had not been reported.
McGregor is currently on the mend from the broken leg he suffered against Dustin Poirier in July. No time table is set for his return.
If the fight between Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson does take place, it will find Ferguson (25-6) looking to snap a three-fight skid, the worst of his career. “El Cucuy” has not won a fight since 2019, and has suffered lopsided losses against Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush since then.
Like Ferguson, Michael Chandler (22-7) is coming off a losing streak, having dropped a title fight against Oliveira last Spring. In November, he returned at UFC 268 in New York, in a three-round war with Justin Gaethje that earned Fight of the Year honors from multiple media outlets, including our own. Chandler, however, lost a unanimous decision after three rounds.
