UFC welterweight Li Jingliang is set to take on fan favorite Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 next month. The matchup has had several commentators – including Chael Sonnen – scratching their heads. Speaking with MMAJunkie, Jingliang stood up for his opponent, reminding his critics that Tony Ferguson is a legend of the sport who deserves more respect.
With Ferguson on a four-fight losing streak at lightweight, moving into a heavier weight division has some commentators worried.
Li Jingliang Fires Back at Ferguson Critics: “You Forget Who He Is”
“For the people who say it like that – Tony Ferguson four losses in a row, never fought at welterweight – you forget who he is.
He is Tony Ferguson. You forgot all those people whose face got cut by Tony Ferguson. Amazing fighters were choked by him. You should give credit to him. I believe if you fight against him, you would know how hard to deal with a guy like ‘El Cucuy’ is. You shouldn’t forget those fighters like Tony, who is a pioneer in the sport. You should give him respect.”
Jingliang admitted that he was surprised by the booking, but pointed out that Tony Ferguson is a surprising person. “I’m surprised. Yes and no, surprised but not, because he is Tony Ferguson, ‘El Cucuy.’ That’s why we call him people’s champ. Tony Ferguson always gives us surprise.”
Jingliang pointed out that their styles match up well. Both are relatively unorthodox fighters with “weird” approaches to fighting, which should make for a “great, exciting” fight.
“I don’t think it’s the wrong decision for Tony Ferguson. There are a lot of legends. What are we looking for in this game? This sport is a surprise. It’s going to be a great, exciting fight.
I’m unorthodox, as well. I know Tony Ferguson; his style is weird. It makes no sense to us, but anything can happen in the octagon. He has his style; I have my style with my fists. That solves all the problems.”
Tony Ferguson was once on the track for a UFC lightweight title. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a twelve-fight winning streak under his belt, Ferguson was set to fight then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. The onset of the pandemic saw that fight cancelled, and Ferguson faced Justin Gaethje instead. Gaethje demolished Tony Ferguson, and it looked in his subsequent appearances that “El Cucuy” has never recovered.
Can Tony Ferguson turn it around against Li Jingliang, or is the move up to welterweight ill-advised? Let us know your predictions in the comments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odUjrkW90is
