Tony Ferguson suffered his third straight loss inside the Octagon as Beneil Dariush dominated the former interim lightweight champion in the co-main event of UFC 262. The #9 ranked contender picked up an impressive win over Ferguson to further cement his position in the UFCs’ lightweight division. The bout marked Dariush’s seventh straight win inside the Octagon and could find himself in the title contention.
At one point in the fight, Dariush came close to becoming the first fighter to submit Tony Ferguson. However, El Cucuy survived the misery, absorbing the excruciating pain. Coming into the third round, Ferguson looked visibly compromised, unable to walk properly on his right leg.
“It popped, Tony, looked at me.” Dariush continues, “He is a zombie, no doubt about it.” Dariush said in the post-fight Octagon interview. Dariush claims he broke Ferguson’s knee and joked how he is a “zombie” for not giving up after the heel hook.
All three judges scored the contest 30-27 in the favor of Dariush with Ferguson suffering his third successive loss. Needless to say, it has made many believe that maybe Ferguson’s time is done. The 37-year old fighter just hasn’t looked the same since his TKO loss to Justin Gaethje.
Tony Ferguson refuses to tap after vicious heel hook by Beneil Dariush at UFC 262
With the victory, Beneil Dariush is on a seven-fight win-streak and will look to get a title shot with another win inside the cage. What many expected to be an absolute war between both the fighter, the bout heavily revolved around Dariush taking Ferguson down. In the past, Charles Oliveira has shown that fallacies in Ferguson’s ground game, dominating him for three straight rounds back at UFC 256.
Tony is a wild man!!!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) May 16, 2021
“It’s a young man’s game,” Rogan said during the fight, during the commentary for the fight, and rightfully so. At 37 years of age, Tony’s movement and speed have taken a toll, and it won’t be wrong to say that the serious beating he took against Justin Gaethje has affected him more than he would like to believe.
It will be interesting to see what lies ahead of Ferguson. El Cucuy has shown no desire to retire and wants to continue competing. However, expect fighters lower down the rankings going forward for the former interim lightweight champion who just suffered his third straight loss against a #9 ranked contender.
Also Read: What Happened to Shane Burgos Against Edson Barboza at UFC 262? – Sportsmanor
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