DOWN AND OUT
TONY FERGUSON was rushed to hospital following his shock defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249.
El Cucuy, who entered this fight on a 12-match winning streak, was left a battered mess as he forfeited the chance to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov.
He suffered a broken eye-socket, and later showed off his injuries from his hospital bed.
Ferguson, who had not lost since 2012, had been scheduled to face the undefeated Russian for the lightweight title FIVE times.
And the American was the heavy favourite to win the interim belt against Gaethje after the coronavirus pandemic forced Khabib to pull out.
But Ferguson was outfought and dominated against his underdog opponent who landed thunderous hooks on the way to referee Herb Dean stopping the bout in the fifth round.
UFC president Dana White later confirmed that the 36-year-old and Niko Price had gone to hospital after their respective defeats.
He added: "I thought Tony Ferguson looked off tonight. He looked slow.”
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Meanwhile, Ferguson, who initially refused to embrace Gaethje after the fight, later admitted that he had suffered from preparing for Khabib.
Justin's a tough son of a b***h, I'll be real. I prepared for Khabib; not too much of a striker. But s**t happens, man.
Tony Ferguson
He said: "It was a long camp.
"The weight cut had nothing to do with it. Justin's a tough son of a b***h, I'll be real.
"I prepared for Khabib; not too much of a striker. But s**t happens, man. What can you do? I would've much rather got finished instead of having somebody step in."
He added: "Let's go back and get it on, you now what I mean? The consolation round you have to win back. Props to Justin, like I said, and his team; tough son of a b***h. Thank you for taking the fight."
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The event earned praise from US president Donald Trump, who urged sport leagues to return after sending his congratulations to Dana White.
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