Tony Ferguson reiterates he has no intention of retiring, and even has a big post-UFC 296 plan in mind.
Ferguson (25-9 MMA, 15-7 UFC) will look to break a six-fight losing streak when he takes on Paddy Pimblett (20-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC) on December 16 in Las Vegas. The name Pimblett excited Ferguson when it was mentioned to him, and the former interim lightweight champion wants to go after another international superstar if he can get back in the win column.
"I have nothing against the kid. Patrick seems like a pretty legit guy. He becomes pretty big, his striking is fine, but his ground game is much better. I love fighting internationals. It's great, I love it."
"Chasing Khabib for a long time and chasing 'McNuggets' (Conor McGregor), this is as close as we're going to be for now. So as soon as we get past this guy, we're going after Conor if he signs on the dotted line and goes through USADA."
Ferguson was lined up to fight then-lightweight champion Conor McGregor after winning the interim title in October 2017 at UFC 216, but a unification fight never came to fruition.
Ferguson said he has reunited with his former team and insists he hasn't lost a step despite his losing streak showing otherwise.
"I have things to do. I've been competing for 35 years. I'm not even close to being done. What it takes is a great team that has brought me my championship belt, my interim belt. I had a great team. But holding on to certain things can sometimes be very detrimental to oneself, so sometimes you just have to let it go and hold on to the things that hold on to you very tightly. And that includes faith, family, and friends."
Although Ferguson is aware of the narrative that UFC might be using him to continue building Pimblett's star power, the 39-year-old man said his desire to compete is still there.
"I don't want to retire. It's not in my fucking thought process. It's not about getting cut. It's not about doing all these things. It's about competing. And what I did was start competing without one, enjoying myself, and two, really giving 100 percent in my training. I thought I was, but that means I have to be coachable. I have to become a student again. I have to ask for help."