"I Was Nervous": Tony Ferguson Opens Up On Fighting Without His Mother
Tony Ferguson has opened up about the struggles of not having his mother by his side for the first time in his fighting career.
Tony Ferguson successfully defended his Misfits Boxing middleweight title against Egyptian Olympic wrestler Mahmoud Sebie by a second-round TKO. While the former UFC interim champion survived early challenges to stop his opponent, his mother's absence added a unique emotional undercurrent to the bout.
'El Cucuy' lost his mother this August due to a massive heart attack. Naturally, stepping inside the ring after just a month was no easy burden to carry.
Tony Ferguson Addresses His Mother's Absence
Tony Ferguson is no stranger to defeating threatening opponents, from Rafael dos Anjos to Edson Barboza, yet his fight week against Sebie couldn't have been more different.
Speaking with Fred Talks Fighting, Ferguson was brutally honest.
"I was nervous, man. This whole week was just different compared to any other fights I've had, from UFC to MMA to boxing, whatever it is. My mom has always been there physically, and this time it was a little bit different, but I didn't feel any void because I felt the energy."
Considering his mother had constantly accompanied the middleweight champion for much of his Misfits journey, it's easy to see why the loss has affected Ferguson so deeply. In fact, in another interview with the same reporter right before his fight, El Cucuy also admitted to travelling the world with her.
Still, although grief for his mother had shaken him heavily, the former UFC star refused to dwell on the negative. From bouncing back from a heavy blow that "woke me the f— up" to eventually stopping Sebie at 0:42 of the 2nd round, Ferguson got the job done despite weathering more emotional battles inside.
Tony Ferguson Opens Up On Next Stint
The former UFC welterweight challenger already seems ready to put his title on the line again. Speaking in the same interview, Ferguson opened up on when fans can see him again. Thankfully, they will not have to wait much longer.
"I'll fight anybody. MS and I will go, and we'll talk. We'll make something happen. And uh I want to get another victory out this year. So maybe in December," El Cucuy explained.
The pair also discussed potential challengers, including Austin McBroom, who is 2-2 in his crossover boxing career. Bouncing off two back-to-back losses to AnEsonGib, with a first-round KO over Faze Temper, even Ferguson acknowledged the boxer's power.
For the time being, however, the Misfits middleweight king can sit with his victory, which he declared was less about himself and more about the people who never hesitated to support him. Sadly, this time Ferguson won't have his mother around to celebrate.
