Google News
As Tony Ferguson, lovingly known as "El Cucuy", stepped into the cage at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, the excitement was palpable. Despite a string of five losses, the MMA community still held him in high regard. He was slated to face Bobby Green at UFC 291 in a fight that promised high stakes and intense action.
However, what unfolded was another sorrowful chapter in the tale of the legendary Tony Ferguson. The match ended with Bobby Green delivering a stoppage, just six seconds before the fight's conclusion. Ferguson sought to bring the fight to the ground, yet his first takedown attempt was staunchly defended by Green.
As the fight persisted in the standing room, chants of "Let's go Tony!" rang through the stands. However, Green had no intentions of letting the crowd dictate his performance. After being momentarily sent to the ground by Ferguson's potent right hook, Green swiftly regained his footing and began to find his rhythm.
The tides seemed to turn when Ferguson received an eye jab, unintentional or otherwise, allowing Green to recuperate from the powerful blow he had previously endured. When the match resumed, Green dominated with a strong "1-2 combination" (front-back direct), closing out the round with significantly more hits than Ferguson.
Green Takes Control
Emboldened and poised, Green began the second round with an aura of confidence. Ferguson, under the guidance of his coaches, sought to regain the upper hand by bringing the fight to the ground. However, his attempts were thwarted by Green's resolute defense.
As the match resumed on the ground, Green effortlessly held his top position, leaving Ferguson to resort to futile submission attempts. The fight continued to sway in Green's favor. A call by Ferguson to continue with head shots, a sign of his dwindling strength, was met with a dominant performance from Green.
While Ferguson managed a couple of clean hits, the round was unmistakably ruled by Green.
The Final Showdown
Stepping into the third round, Ferguson was staring down his impending sixth consecutive defeat. Green continued his reign with stellar boxing combinations, leaving Ferguson as a warrior with no weapon.
Every segment of the fight was dominated by Green, who seemed to be a competitor from the upper echelons of the division. Despite Ferguson's commendable physical preparation, he was unable to muster a concrete response. The end came in the form of Green's "arm triangle" choke.
Ferguson struggled to break free, but eventually succumbed to unconsciousness just before the fight ended. This defeat, marking Ferguson's second consecutive loss to a "submission", was an incredible spectacle. Green's victory, following two losses and a "no contest" against Jared Gordon, was even more astonishing.
Tony Ferguson, a once revered figure in MMA, was handed his sixth consecutive defeat - a harsh reminder of how even the greatest can stumble.
