UFC commentator Chael Sonnen is baffled by the matchup for Tony Ferguson and Li “The Leech” Jingliang. On The MMA Hour, Sonnen discussed the fight, what it means for Tony Ferguson, and he finds the entire thing so confusing, including Jingliang’s nickname.
When asked about the fight, Chael Sonnen’s answer was simple. “I don’t like it.
Sonnen Slams “Leech” Jingliang vs Ferguson Matchup
You want to talk about Charles Oliveira and you want to talk about what a big star he is — they say that him versus [Justin] Gaethje was the biggest pay-per-view of the year, not to mention this year had the heavyweight fight between the [interim] champion and the undisputed [champion], and you’re still telling me that Oliveira-Gaethje was No. 1?
Oliveira doesn’t exist, that belt doesn’t exist, and the story doesn’t exist, if Tony Ferguson — who was up in the loft — had not dropped the ladder down so that Oliveira could climb up it.
Now we’re going to bring Ferguson back, great story, he’s hanging in there, he’s traded camps, he’s doing things different, and you’re giving him — I don’t know of ‘Leech’ [Jingliang]. I don’t know if that’s his nickname or that’s his name, and I’m not trying to be a dick. I assume you call a guy a leech, like he claims to be — I haven’t the foggiest idea who we’ve got opposite Tony Ferguson or how we’re supposed to pretend that that matters.”
Tony Ferguson has been a firm fan favorite throughout his career, but has endured a four-fight skid ever since Justin Gaethje stopped his 12-fight winning streak. Ferguson is best known as a lightweight, and will attempt to improve his fortunes at welterweight against Li Jingliang. Jingliang is 2-2 in his last four fights, with losses to both Neil Magny and Khamzat Chimaev.
Considering that Li Jingliang, currently ranked #14 in the UFC welterweight division, has long been on the periphery of the sport, Chael Sonnen is confused as to why he’d get a star like Tony Ferguson. Jingliang’s middling record of late further contributed to the American Gangster’s confusion.
“If ‘The Leech’ wins, what happens? If Tony wins, OK, great — he gets another fight, he holds on to his career. If ‘The Leech’ wins?
No, I don’t love it. I don’t love it. I don’t think that should’ve been breaking news. I don’t think there should’ve been a press conference. I don’t think it was worthy. That’s the kind of fight you’d lay out the card and then you’d just mention it.”
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