These quotes were taken after each of Tony Ferguson’s post fight interviews:
Loss #1 — Justin Gaethje
“Let’s go back and… you know what I mean…” (Ferguson)
Even in the blur of defeat, he spoke to the crowd, to the faith, to the fire.
“This is the consolation round — and that’s the one you have to win back.” (Ferguson)
He didn’t make excuses.
He made vows.
Loss #2 — Charles Oliveira
His arm bent the wrong way.
But he didn’t tap.
He thought of his son
of Armand Anthony’s double-jointed elbow
and the mind overcame the muscle.
The pain became a meditation.
A father’s love stronger than a snap.
Loss #3 — Beneil Dariush
“Retire? Give these motherfuckers a break? No. Not on my watch.” (Ferguson)
He wasn’t done.
He was pissed.
Still swinging.
Still marching forward with fire in his chest
and no reverse in his engine.
Loss #4 — Michael Chandler
Knocked out cold, highlight reel spinning.
But when he woke, he owned it:
“I should’ve kept my hands up. Chin down. That’s on me.” (Ferguson)
No blame. No bitterness.
Just accountability and a deeper hunger.
Loss #5 — Nate Diaz
“I don’t see any L’s… I just see growth.” (Ferguson)
He called it like he lived it.
Put the sport on his back.
Showed the youth:
It’s not about playing it safe.
It’s about showing up,
not giving a shit about fear,
and taking the next fight anyway.
Loss #6 — Bobby Green
“I won’t use the eye poke as an excuse…” (Ferguson)
He said it with class, with clarity.
“I have more to give.”
And he meant it.
Loss #7 — Paddy Pimblett
“You’re all fucking fire.” (Ferguson)
Even in defeat, he praised the fans.
One foot in front of the other.
He called us crew.
He called himself champ.
Not out of delusion
but because champions rise even when they fall.
Loss #8 — Michael Chiesa
“I don’t want to retire… I really don’t.” (Ferguson)
So he put down one glove.
Not both.
Because some part of him
is still ready to go one more round.
He wanted to hug his kids.
He wanted to talk to his wife.
Win #27
He drops to one knee.
Crosses his chest.
Raises his fist to the heavens.
And screams:
“YEAHHHHHHHH!”
“YEAHHHHHHHH!”
No belt needed.
No crown required.
The redemption wasn’t in the victory
it was in the endurance.
The stubborn belief.
The refusal to quit.
This is Tony Ferguson.
El Cucuy.
The man who fought shadows in empty cages
and still walked toward the light.
Who broke before he bent.
Who spoke in riddles, but bled in scripture.
This isn’t a comeback.
It’s a resurrection.
This is the story of the man
who scaled the mountain of pain
and even when broken
never stopped climbing

