Tony Ferguson shows off war wounds in hospital selfie with wife Cristina… after American suffers a broken EYE-SOCKET in brutal defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249
- Tony Ferguson suffered his first loss in eight years against Justin Gaethje
- He was dominated from the off before the fight was stopped in the fifth-round
- The 36-year-old has blown his chance of a shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Ferguson was rushed to hospital but looked in good spirits with his wife Cristina
Tony Ferguson seemed in good spirits as he posted a photo in hospital after he suffered a broken eye-socket in his shock defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249.
Ferguson suffered his first defeat in eight years on Saturday night against Gaethje, in an event where he was originally scheduled to face unbeaten lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
But after receiving a bruising from Gaethje in front of an empty arena in Jacksonville, Florida, the referee waved off the fight in the fifth-round and Ferguson was rushed to hospital.
Tony Ferguson in hospital with wife Cristina recovering from a broken eye-socket sustained
Ferguson’s face was covered in blood towards the end of his devastating defeat on Saturday
The American was on the receiving end of a brutal beating from Justin Gaethje at UFC 249
Despite the loss, the 36-year-old smiled for a selfie with wife Cristina to celebrate Mother’s Day in the US.
He captioned his Instagram: ‘Love You Babygirl. Thanks For Taking Care Of Me #Happy Mother’s Day Toots.’
Ferguson also posted a video dancing in hospital, saying: ‘When You’re About To Get Discharged From The Hospital #LetMeOut.’
Ferguson also posted a video of him dancing in his hospital gown as he waited to be released
Gaethje delivered the performance of his career and dominated from start to finish, securing a fifth-round stoppage and thus a shot at the title against Khabib.
The unbeaten Russian congratulated the victor on Twitter afterwards, saying: ‘It was so impressive, congratulations. Very smart fight.’
Gaethje landed 143 significant strikes, 100 of those to the head, as he outfought Ferguson to win the interim lightweight crown.
Ferguson’s bloodied face told the story after he suffered nasty cuts from huge punches
Gaethje claimed the interim lightweight title and will now face Khabib for the real thing
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Ferguson sustained an orbital fracture in the process.
Ferguson himself was full of praise for Gaethje, though admitted the uncertainty surrounding his opponent at the behind closed doors event made preparation difficult.
‘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.
There was an eerie atmosphere inside the arena in Jacksonville without any fans watching
UFC president Dana White thought Ferguson looked off the pace on Saturday night
‘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.
‘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.’
It was Ferguson’s first loss since 2012 and despite contesting the stoppage, his facial wounds were evidence of the beating he suffered in the main event, with White admitting: ‘I thought Tony Ferguson looked off tonight. He looked slow.’
Share this article
Source: Read Full Article