The 31st season of UFC’s popular The Ultimate Fighter series has yet to begin, but the recent rumors lead us to believe it could be a huge season. Conor McGregor and Tony Ferguson have allegedly been contacted to coach opposing teams, leading to believe the faded legends will face off later this year.
Ferguson shared the news, stating that the UFC asked him to return to the show after appearaning back in season 11. The former lightweight contender was hoping Khabib Nurmagomedov would join the show, but Nurmagomedov has stepped away from MMA completely.
That left the door for McGregor, who confirmed he was approached to be a coach this upcoming season. With the show scheduled to begin shooting this Spring, it would be enough time for McGregor to get cleared to re-enter the ring in October as mentioned in previous reports.
In many ways, Ferguson is the perfect opponent for a comebacking McGregor. At one point, Ferguson was a top lightweight stuck in the mud as Nurmagomedov’s repeated injuries delayed their title fight numerous times. Ferguson’s 12-fight win streak was brutally snapped by Justin Gaethje at UFC 249, and he has now lost his last five fights in a row, including a submission loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 279.
Tony Ferguson is an easy fight for Conor McGregor
Ferguson’s fight with Diaz took place at welterweight, and considering McGregor’s massive size gain since his last appearance, that’s where a proposed fight would take place. It couldn’t be an easier night’s work for the also-skidding McGregor.
With little pep in his step and absorbing a lot of punishment in his last five fights, Ferguson would likely get bounced by McGregor in short order. While McGregor hasn’t had a good run in the octagon lately, he’ll be the fresher fighter and Ferguson no longer has the facilities or style to diffuse McGregor’s striking.
In many ways, this reflects McGregor’s previous UFC comeback against similarly faded Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. It was a favorable style matchup against an opponent in the middle of a losing streak that ended his career. McGregor won that fight inside one round at UFC 246.
If the UFC is looking for a safe way to bring McGregor back into the fold, and with a victory no less, then this is the fight to make.
