Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has not seen action since losing a lopsided decision to No. 3-ranked title contender Beneil Dariush at UFC 262 last May, a three-round drubbing that sent “El Cucuy” to his third straight loss.
That might land some fighters on the “Prelims” portion of an upcoming fight card (or worse) but fortunately for Ferguson, he’s not the only marquee lightweight struggling to keep up with the rest of the 155-pound pack.
Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor — who continue to moonlight as welterweights — have both dropped two straight and three of their last four. So it would make sense if the promotion booked one of them against Ferguson at some point in 2022.
The bookies have the TUF 13 champ favored against Diaz — but not against McGregor.
Tony Ferguson vs. Nate Diaz
Tony Ferguson: -140 (5/7)
Nate Diaz: +120 (6/5)
Tony Ferguson vs. Conor McGregor
Tony Ferguson: +250 (5/2)
Conor McGregor: -300 (1/3)
Those lines, courtesy of BetOnline.ag, are subject to change.
Ferguson is 37 which sounds old for his division but Diaz is right behind him at 36. McGregor turned 33 last July and recently suffered a devastating leg break that is expected to keep him out of action until late 2022.
With Charles Oliveira defending his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier in December and Justin Gaethje trying to earn his way back to the big dance opposite Michael Chandler at UFC 268, now would be a good time for Ferguson to lock horns with Diaz.
Who according to promotion president Dana White, has just one fight remaining on his UFC contract.