Tony Ferguson, Justin Gaethje Respond to UFC 249 Cancellation News
Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje took the news that the Ultimate Fighting Championship was cancelling its upcoming events well, all things considered.
Ferguson was mid-interview with the OC Register on Thursday, when the news broke that UFC 249 and all subsequent were postponed. His immediate response, understandably, was a little profanity followed by shock.
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The former interim champ was to be matched up with Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight strap in the headliner of UFC 249. The event was originally scheduled to take place on April 18, and Ferguson was slated to meet Khabib Nurmagomedov for the undisputed belt.
The fight card was booked for Brooklyn, New York, initially, but a
NY ban of sporting events and public gatherings eliminated the
state from hosting. The next plan was to relocate the event and
others to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas at the UFC headquarters, but
Nevada shut down all sporting events indefinitely.
The UFC scrambled to find a new location, and eventually settled on the Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore, California. That venue served as the home for Tachi Palace Fights as well as the pre-Zuffa arena for World Extreme Cagefighting before 2006.
“You know what,” asked Ferguson. “I’m sure it’s for a good reason. Let’s be real. I gotta keep the faith. I gotta keep this…(expletive)…keep this small circle close, bro, and just keep focusing on what we can control, which is our heart rate and breathing.”
Planning the next few events at this location, the UFC kept its plans secret until Sherdog.com founder Jeff Sherwood announced the news on Wednesday. From there, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Dianne Feinstein pleaded with the promotion, its broadcast partner of ESPN and the latter’s parent company of Disney to delay the cards. The events were halted shortly thereafter.
“Dude, I’m just gonna keep collecting trophies and doing my same (expletive),” Ferguson stated before needing a minute to compose himself. The news was taking its toll, but “El Cucuy” was doing his best to keep it together. “Every single time I wake up in the morning, when I do my work, say my prayers and I do [stuff], I hug my little boy…kiss my wife. I just…keep doing what I’m doing. What am I gonna do?”
It was not all pain for Ferguson, who looked to try to stay positive in light of this difficult situation. He posed an idea of playing against former opponent Gaethje in a video game, and also discussed that he would still thank UFC President Dana White for attempting to keep the event together.
“The constant is things are always gonna change,” Ferguson concluded. “The variable is how am I gonna react to it? So we could throw that variable, baby, and we make that the constant. Which is why I’m gonna keep smiling, I’m gonna keep training, and you know what? I’m gonna put on some muscle. Dude, I’m skinny. I’m gonna put on some muscle.”
On Friday, Gaethje similarly responded to the news on his Instagram. In his brief statement, he thanked his friends, his family and the community as a whole.
“I really felt a surge of energy and support as this fight was building up from so many [people] across the world, it was very humbling,” he wrote. “I am thankful to represent Safford, AZ and my great friends and family. I’m going to be working hard to be ready next time the opportunity arises. Let’s get through this fight we are all facing right now by having a positive impact on our immediate surroundings (family, neighbor, community) Thank you!! The boss @danawhite is someone I am proud to do business with. #ufc249”
It is currently unclear when the UFC will be in operation again, but for now, both fighters maintain a positive outlook given the circumstances.
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