For a potential number one contender, Tony Ferguson is getting a raw deal, because eh is no facing a fighter on a two fight losing streak despite being on a seven fight win streak. UFC 197 takes place in Vegas and is headlined by a super fight between Conor McGregor against Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos. Also, there is another title fight as Holly holm puts her title on the line against number one contender Miesha Tate.
Ferguson should be fighting for the title as no one, outside of the oft injured Khabib Nurmagomedov, else really deserves a title shot. He has won seven straight fights and is 10-1 in the UFC overall. In his last seven fights, he has finished five of the fights. In the last two fights, he bested top five fighters Josh Thompson and Edson Barboza. Still, his only loss in the UFC came at the hands of Michael Johnson. This is the fight that is happening despite it making no sense whatsoever.
Johnson has lost two straight and has not won a fight in nearly a year. His record sits at 16-10 with two losses to Nate Diaz and Beneil Dariush. He was on a four fight winning streak before that with a similar win over Barboza but only one finish in that span. In his last 11 fights he is at a 7-4 record compared to Ferguson’s 10-1. Also overall in the UFC, he has only gone 8-6.
The fight that would have made more sense would have been Diaz against Ferguson. He just beat Johnson and everyone is very high on him. Plus, he wants a fight with McGregor who will be fighting on the same card or a fight with the champion at 155 who if fighting as well. This sets up an interesting post fight interview and potential press conference. If only the UFC tried to make a decent fight.