ABU DHABI – [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag] not underestimating [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] heading to UFC on ABC 7.
Chiesa (16-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC) will look to hand Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC) a UFC-record eighth consecutive defeat when the pair meet on Saturday’s main card (ABC, ESPN2 , ESPN+) at the Etihad Arena.
Before his seven losses, Ferguson owned one of the most impressive winning streaks in the lightweight division, winning 12 in a row. This is the version Chiesa is preparing for.
“I would be a fool to train for Tony Ferguson who is on the skids,” Chiesa told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC on ABC 7 media day. “I would be a fool to ignore him given the current state of his career. I’ve been training for the guy I was supposed to fight for eight years. this crazy winning streak he was on.
“Just because he’s 0-7 in his last seven fights doesn’t take away from his offense. It doesn’t take away from his skills. It doesn’t take away from his D’Arce choke. It doesn’t take away from all the things he does really well. I look at some of those fights and I put an asterisk next to them.”
Chiesa was scheduled to face Ferguson at UFC Fight Night 91 in July 2016, but withdrew due to a back injury. Eight years later, it has the opportunity to potentially be Ferguson’s last fight in the Octagon.
“Absolutely, especially since it’s unfinished business, but there’s no bad blood between us,” Chiesa said. “That doesn’t mean Tony is necessarily the type of fighter to show up and beat your ass during fight week, but he and I definitely have a mutual respect, so I think I’m his best and last dance partner. and let’s look at the numbers, I’m 36 years old, I’m 0-3 in my last three fights. It’s a fight that makes sense. It’s not Paddy Pimblett, who’s doing well now.
“It’s not Beneil Dariush, it’s not Charles Oliveira. It’s a fight that makes sense, so I feel like the perfect dance partner for him. champion against TUF champion, a fight that never happened. I’m the man, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to send him off into the sunset with a victory. the guy, and I intend to finish him off.”
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Michael Chiesa says the fight with Tony Ferguson makes sense: ‘It’s not like they threw him to the wolves’
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC on ABC 7.
This article was originally published on MMA Junkie: Michael Chiesa before UFC on ABC 7: ‘I’d be a fool to ignore’ Tony Ferguson fight
