Morning Report: Daniel Cormier applauds Tony Ferguson’s effort at UFC 296, but ‘that time has come’

Tony Ferguson can’t seem to get back in the win column.

The one-time interim UFC lightweight champion and winner of The Ultimate Fighter 13 tied a promotional record at UFC 296 this past Saturday against Paddy Pimblett. Unfortunately for Ferguson, it wasn’t one he hoped to tie as he now sits alongside B.J. Penn with the longest losing streak in UFC history at seven.

Pimblett defeated Ferguson via a comfortable unanimous decision that extended the Englishman’s winning streak to seven. Several losses before this most recent one built speculation that it could be time for “El Cucuy” to call it a career. That conversation only continues now after another lopsided defeat and UFC commentator Daniel Cormier remains in that camp despite Ferguson’s continued reluctance to retire.

“Tony Ferguson would seem to be done,” Cormier said on DC & RC. “Call it what it is.”

“I believe that Tony Ferguson should retire. I really try to limit trying to show a man the door because nobody knows when someone’s done until they know that they’re done. Only Tony knows when it’s time, but it seems as though he’s the only one left that isn’t sure. Everybody else feels pretty certain that that time has come for Tony Ferguson.”

Ferguson was nearly put away in round one of his clash with Pimblett. The Liverpool native caught the once-ultra-durable contender with a flurry of punches and poured it on late on the ground. Ultimately, Ferguson survived but succumbed to Pimblett’s offensive wrestling abilities in the final two frames.

The aid of ex-Navy SEAL David Goggins was acquired by Ferguson for his camp, which showed to not have an effect. In the immediate wake of the loss, Goggins expressed how it may have been the end for the legendary lightweight, according to Cormier.

“Many didn’t even expect Tony Ferguson to go 15 minutes, so hat’s off to Tony for doing that,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “But David Goggins, who cornered him, came up to us at the end of the fight and said, ‘Tony may retire after this.’ And I said, ‘Well, is he?’

“He goes, ‘I don’t know.’ But we gave our opinions and said, ‘Maybe it is time for Tony to retire.’ While his heart and his mind are still telling him to go, I don’t necessarily know if his timing is still where it needs to be because for a short period of time in those fights, you see the old Tony Ferguson. But as time goes on, he isn’t the same guy.”

Odd. Leon Edwards coach prefers Gilbert Burns fight next: ‘Brings more to the table than Belal’ Muhammad

Boundary. Chael Sonnen: Colby Covington crossed the line, but UFC shouldn’t police speech

Placement. MMA Divisional Rankings, December 2023: Does Colby Covington deserve spot after dismal UFC 296 performance?

Onward. Tony Ferguson insists he’s not retiring in social media statement

Betting. Leon Edwards trumps Belal Muhammad, dead even with Shavkat Rakhmonov for opening odds

The MMA Hour.

UFC Fighters We Want To See In 2024.

RIZIN Confessions 138.

Class in session.

Tenacious.

Ouff.

New regime.

Cleansed.

Poor Pacheco.

Even with one arm, the man is a menace.

Matthew Semelsberger (11-6) vs. Preston Parsons (10-4); UFC Vegas 84, Jan. 13

Albert Duraev (16-5) vs. Robert Bryczek (17-5); UFC Vegas 86, Feb. 10

What more can be said about Ferguson at this point? Win or lose, it’s a sad state of affairs. Coming to grips with the reality of being done is one that only that specific athlete can fathom, however. Just got to sit back and hope for the best from here on out.

Thanks for reading!

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.