Tony Ferguson does not want to retire. The former interim lightweight champ submitted to Michael Chiesa in the first round of their UFC Abu Dhabi bout minutes ago. ‘El Cucuy’ and ‘Maverick’ were both on a skid in form coming into the bout. While Chiesa had lost his last three fights, Ferguson had been on a seven-fight losing streak prior to their Abu Dhabi clash.

Their clash started off slow, with Chiesa happy to keep out of range and rush in with a few hard strikes when there was an opening. After three minutes of action, however, the Spokane Valley native went for the takedown and had Ferguson in a solid rear naked chokehold moments later. Ferguson tapped and is now on an eight-fight losing streak, tied for the most consecutive losses in the UFC.

However, despite the calls for him to retire, and Dana White having indicated it might be his last fight ‘El Cucuy’ is reluctant. While he was clear that he did not want to retire, he admitted that’s a conversation he will have with his wife at home. “I know I could’ve done better… I don’t want to retire. I love the UFC… I’m gonna go home and talk to my wife…,” he said in the post-fight octagon interview. Speculations are rife that Dana White may release Ferguson from the UFC since he seems in no position to continue fighting. However, the former interim champ did make clear what he wants to do, even if he may get overruled by the UFC CEO or his wife and get pressured into retiring.

Another important thing bears mentioning here that indicates Ferguson’s state of mind after the loss. Leaving one’s gloves in the octagon is a non-verbal announcement that a fighter is retiring. But ‘El Cucuy’ left one glove in the octagon and took the other with him, another indication that he is split on retiring. But the UFC world is agreed and wants Ferguson to do the right thing.

UFC stars call on Tony Ferguson to retire after Michael Chiesa loss

Former UFC fighter Alan Jouban commended Michael Chiesa for giving up his post-fight octagon interview spot to Ferguson, and felt the latter too handled himself well given the gravity of the moment: “Classy move by @MikeMav22 [Michael Chiesa] giving up the mic. And @TonyFergusonXT handled that tough moment well, in true El Cucuy fashion. #UFCAbuDhabi“

Former concurrent two-division champion Henry Cejudo pleaded with Ferguson in a tweet to hang up his gloves: “We love you Tony but please hang it up #UFCAbuDhabi” Former UFC star Terrence McKinney seconded Cejudo’s sentiment and called on ‘El Cucuy’ to retire: “Tony we love you but it’s time 🙏🙏🙏”

Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling couldn’t help but feel melancholy at how far Ferguson has fallen from being the boogeyman of the lightweight division to having the most consecutive losses in the promotion: “Very Happy for Chiesa, but gutted for TFerg. Tough to see such a great career turn the way it has for him.”

Former lightweight champ and Ferguson’s UFC 256 opponent Charles Oliveira didn’t call on the former interim champ to retire, but indicated that it might be time for ‘El Cucuy’ to retire: “Thank you @TonyFergusonXT!

We love you, all respect… The decision is up to you

An honor to share the Octagon with you back in 2020″

What are your thoughts on Tony Ferguson possibly retiring from the UFC? Let us know in the comments.