Dana White Believes Tony Ferguson Looked ‘Off’ at UFC 249, Blames Extra Weight Cut

Tony Ferguson marches to the beat of a different drum. That much has been apparent for quite some time.

When the lightweight contender went through with a weight cut last month ahead of the originally scheduled date for UFC 249, it was a perplexing move to those who wondered why he would put his body through unnecessary strain with his fight still three weeks away.

Ferguson himself called it an “awesome experience” and claimed it demonstrated another level of commitment that his opponent, Justin Gaethje, didn’t have. More importantly, Ferguson was able to make weight with no issue ahead of the real UFC 249 event last Friday, as well.

However, on fight night “El Cucuy” never got in gear, as he was largely dominated by Gaethje en route to a fifth-round TKO loss. Just like that, Ferguson’s 12-fight winning streak was over, as was his chance at a long-awaited showdown with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

UFC president Dana White came away from the event impressed by Ferguson’s toughness, but he believes “The Ultimate Fighter 13” winner might’ve been hindered by going through two weight cuts in less than a month’s time.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Gaethje, because he fought an incredible fight. I thought Tony looked off tonight. I thought he looked slow,” White said at the UFC 249 post-fight press conference. “I would have to imagine that cutting weight twice in a month will affect you. I don’t know if that was it or what. The guy isn’t f—ing human…nobody takes Gaethje’s punches like that. Nobody since I’ve been watching Gaethje fight can take punches like that. But this kid did. Tony Ferguson, he’s a special human being.”

Indeed, Ferguson absorbed numerous heavy shots throughout the interim title bout, many that would have felled a lesser man. According to Yahoo Sports, Ferguson suffered a broken orbital in the fight, and he was transported to a medical facility immediately after the fight.

“I actually think the fight could’ve been stopped a little sooner, to be honest with you,” White said. “Tony took a lot of damage tonight. Not only did he take a lot of damage, but he took damage from a guy who fucking hits like a truck…He usually knocks people unconscious when he hits them with those shots.”