UFC 296, The Morning After: The Last Stand Of ‘El Cucuy’

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It’s been a long time since a Tony Ferguson fight hasn’t made me sad.

“El Cucuy” was an appropriate nickname at Ferguson’s peak, and it’s an appropriate nickname now that he’s fallen from the top of the mountain. In the old days, Ferguson was actively terrorizing the Lightweight division, and his opponents routinely looked like they were trapped in the cage with a wild animal. Nowadays, the boogeyman is just a story, something we tell up-and-coming Lightweights to convince them to tuck their chins.

Based on the location of his chin, Paddy Pimblett didn’t fear the local legend at UFC 296 last night (Sat., Dec, 16, 2023) in Las Vegas, Nevada. After a couple minutes, he unleashed an offensive barrage that Ferguson couldn’t withstand. Ferguson survived, but any theoretical fear of “El Cucuy” in the heart of Pimblett was gone.

He dominated for the rest of the match.

Ferguson’s seventh straight loss was sad and difficult-to-watch like the rest of them. I cannot imagine anyone outside of Liverpool enjoyed it too thoroughly. Watching Ferguson — once one of the most ferocious low kickers in the sport — get repeatedly spun around by low kicks is just a stark reminder of his physical decline.

Unlike the losses to Bobby Green or Nate Diaz, however, I was able to see a silver lining here. Ferguson’s losing streak is categorized by short moments of success followed by vicious periods of domination from his opponents: he knocked down Michael Chandler, kicked Diaz’s legs up, and even stunned Green for a moment before that trio finished him. There’s always been small moments of hope, and Ferguson’s heart has never been in question.

The difference here, to me, was that Ferguson really seemed to believe he was going to win. That “hell week” with David Goggins counted for something! Ferguson started the fight well, in better form than his most recent defeats, and he stayed offensive even as the cards stacked further against him. His confidence remained intact into the third, when he actually put together a good minute or two, forcing Pimblett on the defensive before one last takedown sealed the deal.

It wasn’t much, but it was something. Ferguson fought with more confidence and more intent to win. Even if mentality alone cannot fix the ravages of time, it’s at least something for “El Cucuy” to hang his hat on after this final defeat.

No sandbagging here.

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For complete UFC 296: “Edwards vs. Covington” results and play-by-play, click HERE!