Chael Sonnen is evidently among those who think the decision surrounding Tony Ferguson's UFC career should be taken out of his hands.
Ferguson's woes inside the Octagon continued at this past weekend's UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, where he fell to a record eight-fight losing skid at the hands of fellow veteran Michael Chiesa.
While he made it to the scorecards against Paddy Pimblett last December, "El Cucuy's" latest outing saw him finished before the first horn. Following a takedown, the ex-interim lightweight champion was submitted by way of a rear-naked choke.
After Chiesa surrendered his microphone time in the aftermath, it appeared a retirement announcement long branded overdue by many would finally arrive. But the best that those hopeful of the end got was a half-retirement, and even that appeared to be walked back moments later.
The continued rejection of clear retirement talk has left plenty of fans, fighters, and analysts concerned, and Sonnen had a problem with more than one aspect of Ferguson's display in the Middle East...
Sonnen Critical Of Ferguson''s Performance, 'Double Cross' On The Mic
During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA's YouTube channel, Sonnen gave his assessment of Ferguson's latest setback inside the Octagon and refusal to confirm his retirement inside the cage.
"The American Gangster" expressed surprise at the 40-year-old's inability to carry out basic grappling defense on the ground. And beyond just the fight, Sonnen accused Ferguson of double-crossing Chiesa by removing his gloves as if he was set to retire and not giving a "shine" to his opponent.
At some point,. we're gonna have to have some real tough love for Tony here. He just set a record, a record for the most (straight) losses in UFC history," Sonnen said. "I don't have a problem with a guy slowing down...I got a big problem with him getting taken down, getting his back taken — which is what you learn the very first day of jiu-jitsu — and not hand-fighting. ... The fact that Tony's in there almost like he's working with him, like he's making a technique video or something for the rear-naked choke, that's a problem for me.
Taking one glove of was kind of cool, until I heard why he's doing it; because he wants another fight and isn't sure the UFC's gonna give it to him. Well, let me help you out there, I'm real sure the UFC's not gonna give it to you," Sonnen continued. "I'm a little bit surprised with the disconnect of mental awareness for what was going on, or even being handed a microphone that you don't deserve and only got because you're gonna retire, then you pull the retirement back and don't shine up Chiesa, who gave you the microphone in the first place. It was a real bit of a double cross, frankly.
Sonnen continued, insisting that witnessing Ferguson's career continue is "not fun anymore" and "needs to stop."
I am completely confident in telling you there's not going to be a return," Sonnen stated. "Grappling is what Tony does so well...he's just a fantastic guy on the ground. ... I have a problem with the fact he didn't hand-fight. ... It seemed like there was some very basic awareness of very basic steps that weren't being done, in conjunction with an interview that I could give a pass to had a guy just got knocked out. It wasn't like that. This needs to stop! It's not fun anymore.
Since once again vowing to improve and insisting that he remains a threat during a post-fight press conference that gave little indication that a retirement could be on the way, Ferguson is yet to further address his future.
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