3 Reasons why Tony Ferguson should face Conor McGregor on his return

Tony Ferguson is one of those fighters who has been working for his place in the Ultimate Fighting Championship for a long time, but for whatever reason has not been able to secure his position.

It's not that he has faltered in his resolve nor that he is lacking in skill, as his current undefeated streak will show. However, the fact remains that he has played second fiddle for a large part of his career.

If his record and effort are to be recognised, it is high time that he receives a high profile fight. Although the fact is that he has managed everything, and by rights, he should have

At the moment, Conor McGregor might be a while away from returning to the Octagon, as is Khabib Nurmagomedov. Although nothing can be confirmed at the moment, given how Khabib Nurmagomedov instigated the incident post-UFC 229, it is safe to assume he might get a longer time away from the Octagon than Conor McGregor. Given such a situation, Ferguson needs someone to face while waiting.

Who better to face Ferguson than McGregor? In this article, we will outline three clear reasons as to why Ferguson should be facing McGregor next.

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#1 Overshadowed by Conor McGregor's Drama

UFC 229 Khabib v McGregor: Open Workouts

Surpassed by other fighters who bring with them a sense of drama, Ferguson's achievements, which were far greater, went overshadowed, with many missing out on the immense effort he took to accomplish what he did.

At UFC 229, we can see the perfect example of this very trend.

Tony Ferguson had an excellent fight with Anthony Pettis. The two were in the best fight of the night by far and were recognised by the UFC for this achievement.

However, when people talk about UFC 229, it is not their fight that they focus on.

Instead, it is all the drama surrounding the fight of Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov's bout. In such a situation, Ferguson would be perfectly justified in harbouring ill-will against McGregor.

It would also translate into a good feud between the two in the Octagon.

#2 A win over McGregor will prove his credentials

UFC 229: Khabib v McGregor Press Conference

Tony Ferguson does not talk as much as some other fighters, and the truth is he does not need to. He lets his performances and record do all the talking on behalf of him. Currently, he is on a huge 11-fight win streak which is impressive by itself.

Despite his huge winning streak, there are still many fans who do not believe he is at the same level as McGregor or Nurmagomedov. They feel that he has not been tested enough at a top level. This belief is completely unjustified and unfair to Ferguson.

In such a condition, although he does not need to show fans anything, a fight against Conor McGregor might be the only way to establish himself as the top level fighter that he is in the eyes of the fans.

A win over McGregor will cement his UFC legacy and ensure that people recognise him for the huge talent that he is.

#3 Conor McGregor took his opportunity

UFC 229: Khabib v McGregor Press Conference

Before the Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov fight was decided upon, Tony Ferguson was considered to be the right candidate to receive a shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov's title.

He had done a spectacular job in earning the Interim title, and he was the deserving candidate, as he had been stripped due to an illness. He was also about to get the shot against Nurmagomedov before McGregor inserted himself into the picture in a style only he can.

Since then it was impossible for him to contest the sheer drama that McGregor brought with him, and instead, Ferguson was reduced to a co-main event spot against Anthony Pettis in a non-title fight.

While the fight itself was incredible, Ferguson should have been fighting Khabib for the title instead.

McGregor took his opportunity, and now it is time for him to show once and for all that he is better than the 'Notorious One'.