Tony Ferguson answers questions from the media at a press conference in 2018.
Report: UFC targeting Tony Ferguson vs Donald Cerrone for UFC 238
The UFC is continuing to keep the lightweight division moving and in doing so, they’re reportedly targeting a very fun and significant fight. According to Brett Okamoto of ESPN, the UFC is targeting a fight between Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Tony Ferguson for UFC 238 which takes place in Chicago on June 8, this summer.
This matchup will mark the third fight for Donald Cerrone since 2019 began as he has racked up wins against Alex Hernandez and most recently Al Iaquinta at UFC Ottawa just a week ago. Following his win over Iaquinta, Cerrone called for a fight with former lightweight champion Conor McGregor, but wasted no time accepting a fight with Tony Ferguson on just four weeks notice.
Adding to the fact that he’s having another short turnaround, Okamoto adds to his report that Cerrone was campaigning to make his fight with Ferguson a five-round fight.
So, not only has Cowboy Cerrone accepted a fight against Tony Ferguson four weeks from now … less than one week removed from a fight against Al Iaquinta … I heard he inquired about making it five rounds. He feels like he's just warming up at five rounds. Mad. Man.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 10, 2019
As for Tony Ferguson who announced his return to action earlier this week, this will be his first fight back since UFC 229 where he defeated former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis by TKO. Ferguson is the former interim lightweight champion but was stripped of his title after he had to withdraw from his scheduled title fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223.
The report from Okamoto also states that in addition to making this fight happen so quickly, Ferguson, who has a new management company, is working on a new deal with the UFC as well.
And for Tony Ferguson, in addition to the bout on June 8, his management and the UFC are deep in talks regarding a new deal. Good to see him back on the active roster.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 10, 2019
Both fighters have called out former champion McGregor, and while there are no current plans for “The Notorious” as of yet, he may keep his eyes on this fight and the rumored title unification fight between Dustin Poirier and Khabib Nurmagomedov which is expected to happen in September.
While both fighters have targeted McGregor in the past, both seem intent on taking the fights that lead them to a future title shot more than just a money fight. Cerrone is on a three-fight winning streak including a win at welterweight, while Ferguson is riding an 11-fight winning streak himself.
UFC 238 is scheduled to take place on June 8, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois at the United Center and will feature two title fights as flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko will defend her title against Jessica Eye, and Marlon Moraes will take on Henry Cejudo for the vacant bantamweight title.
