Lightweight contenders, Paddy Pimblett and Tony Ferguson return to action at UFC 296 in a vital clash in both men’s careers. For Pimblett, it’s the biggest test of his career and a win will prove that he’s got what it takes to beat the best. For Ferguson, he’s looking to snap a six fight losing skid and pick up a win for the first time since 2019.
Speaking on The Energized Show, Pimblett described Ferguson’s notorious training with former Navy Seal, David Goggins as “f***** stupid” and also commented saying “I think it’s bizarre”. This is off the back of Ferguson going through ‘hell week’ with Goggins a few weeks ago.
https://twitter.com/TonyFergusonXT/status/1721933348300570795
What Pimblett said does have some truth to it. He mentioned the fact that “He’s never had a problem with his cardio, so I don’t understand why he’s done it” and that “obviously, that beatdown from (Justin) Gaethje changed his whole career, and then getting knocked out by Chandler the way that he did, his brain is not the same as it was three or four years ago”.
The ‘beatdown’ he’s referring to is the interim title fight that Ferguson had with Gaethje back in May 2020 that kicked off his losing streak and ended his legendary 12 fight winning run. Along this run, he got the better of two former champions, a former title challenger and captured the interim belt with a finish of Kevin Lee.
There’s no doubt that he’s fallen on hard times, losing six straight since then, however. Granted, these have been against some of the best and well known names in the sport, however, being finished in his last three straight isn’t a good sign. Especially when his most recent loss came at the hands of Bobby Green via submission. For context, Green hadn’t recorded a UFC submission since 2013 prior to this.
At UFC 296, it’s two men at different places in their respective careers both fighting to stay relevant. For Pimblett, a loss would be devastating. It would eliminate his hype, stop the fan-fair around him and limit his ability to rise to the top. For Ferguson, a loss would extend his losing run to seven, would all but retire him from the UFC and would continue to have people question his legacy.
It’ll be a competitive bout for sure and we’ll see if Ferguson was “f****** stupid” for training with Goggins, or whether it will pay off.
