Tony Ferguson explains reason for cutting weight, even without a fight: 'Commitment'

T. Ferguson won the interim lightweight belt in 2017. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc_brasil

Last Friday (17), Tony Ferguson surprised the MMA community by make weight for UFC 249, which was scheduled to take place on April 18, but was canceled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The North American's attitude shocked some of his professional colleagues, fans and members of the press, as the dehydration process takes a heavy toll on an athlete's body. In an interview with 'ESPN', 'Bicho Papão' spoke about what motivated him to maintain his schedule.

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“It wasn’t just for me, man. It was for my team, my sponsors and, obviously, my family. It was just a commitment to myself to continue with the weight cut. We would have to have a fight here. Obviously, Khabib (Nurmagomedov) didn't want it. Justin gaethje replaced it, so for me it just made sense”, said the athlete, who, at the time, reached the lightweight limit, weighing 70,3kg.).

Currently, the American is experiencing a moment of uncertainty about when he will be able to step into the octagon again. Due to the pandemic, Ultimate events are temporarily suspended and there is still no confirmed date for their resumption.

However, behind the scenes, there is information (released by 'MMA Fighting) that the UFC is willing to hold a card on May 9, with no defined location. The organization's idea would be to keep Tony and Gaethje as protagonists of the event in the fight for the interim lightweight title (up to 70,3kg).

If the show is confirmed by Ultimate, Ferguson guarantees that his weight cutting process carried out last week will not be harmful to his body.

“I like the way my body adjusts to it. I needed approximately an hour and a half to rehydrate. It was a good mental and physical exercise. I'm close to my weight”, concluded 'El Cucuy'.

Initially, Ferguson would compete for the category's linear belt against the current champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. The 'Eagle', however, ended up being removed from the card due to being held in Russia after the country announced the closure of its borders as a preventive measure against the spread of the disease that has already caused thousands of deaths around the world.