Twitter reacts to UFC 296: Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson announcement
By Amy Kaplan
On Friday evening UFC president Dana White announced two new fights for UFC 296, one of those fights is a lightweight fight between former interim champion Tony Ferguson and rising star, Paddy Pimblett.
Needless to say, MMA Twitter was not excited about the match-up.
Many fans were upset that this could potentially be Ferguson's retirement fight. Others were upset that the UFC is using Ferguson's name to propell Pimblett forward.
Pimblett is undefeated in the UFC though his last fight, a decision win to Jared Gordon was highly controversial as many felt Gordon had won. He hasn't fought since undergoing surgery.
Ferguson is on one hell of a losing streak having dropped his last six fights. He hasn't won a bout since 2019.
Twitter worried after Paddy Pimblett's fight announcement: 'RIP Tony Ferguson'
Imagine seeing this right before you retire… pic.twitter.com/xs1WXX50O8
— Yeti-San MMA (@YetiSanMMA) September 23, 2023
If I’m Tony Ferguson, I pull out of this fight, can’t give that man the satisfaction to jump up the rankings lmao https://t.co/wFK9GMibLX
— Víctor (@victor_solorio) September 23, 2023
Tony Ferguson getting retired by Paddy is wild https://t.co/OA63q4cu8j
— Tone (@tonemontana_) September 23, 2023
We’re in a world where paddy pimblett is going to fight Tony Ferguson. https://t.co/IhWejoKcWX
— holly (@drainedandblue) September 23, 2023
Tony Ferguson is the type of guy to lose just to test his fan base 😂 #Funny
— Doctor MMA (@FightDoctor_) September 23, 2023
Although I am a fan of the greatest fighter of all time who never lost a fight so cannot relate 🤣
No way paddy pimblett v Tony Ferguson has just been announced😅😅😅
— Sam Clayton (@samclayts) September 23, 2023
Tony Ferguson will lose to Paddy Pimblett and retires...
— Ameer Sirhan Shorts (@AmeerShort12279) September 23, 2023
This is just sad to see.
Paddy Pimblett will flex that win as well like he didn't just beat up an old lion with a broken spine and spirit.
Just 3 years ago we were looking for Tony to fight Khabib.
Sad times. pic.twitter.com/6lrk0ozgCb
Using the ghost of Tony Ferguson to prop up this overhyped chump is so sad lol https://t.co/A9gmSRCWTW
— the struggler (@rileychayden) September 23, 2023
Paddy Pimblett fans after he beats 7 fight losing streak Tony Ferguson pic.twitter.com/9zT9DAsRym
— Luca Fury (@LucaFury) September 23, 2023
White also announced Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson. These fights come after the main and co-main event announcements earlier this week.
Here's how the card is stacked up so far:
- Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington
- Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval 2
- Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson
- Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson
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