By Cassandra Cousineau of LVSportsBiz.com
UFC fighter Tony Ferguson is the type of guy who would film himself with a COVID-19 test cotton swab tickling his brain.
That’s Ferguson being Ferguson, and he’s the one fighter in the world poised to take center stage during a global pandemic at UFC 249, the fight show that is scheduled for a fan-less arena in Jacksonville Saturday amid a global virus health crisis that has grounded most professional sports in the U.S.
Even though Las Vegas-based Ultimate Fighting Championship was unable to stage UFC 249 with Ferguson and rival Khabib Nurmagomedov at the top of the ticket due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the man they call ‘El Cucuy’ didn’t blink. Much like the promotion’s president, colorful Dana White, Ferguson charged ahead.
The 36-year-old Ferguson is known for being a wild man with one of the most awkward fighting styles in the UFC.
He’s also known for one of the longest-running, sports-related threads that has become folklore on the Internet.
It begins with a quote, “Tony Ferguson is the type of guy,” and ends with something completely ironic and unbelievable.
For example, “Tony Ferguson is the type of guy to film himself getting a COVID-19 test, then challenge the test to a world title.” There are better examples out there, but you get the idea. No one is quite sure how it started although there is some agreement that it may have started with a podcast in 2014.
When UFC stages its first event in three months on Saturday, Ferguson will take on Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title. The event takes place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville without a single paying fan in the arena. There will be a bevy of new health safety protocols in effect.
All fighters, their corners, UFC staff, and credentialed media have been mandated to undergo two tests. The first is an antibody test, a finger prick to determine whether a person has ever had COVID-19. The second is a carrier test, which determines if a person is currently infected with the virus. Ferguson valiantly shared this part on his Instagram as the nurse says she’s going to “tickle his brain.”
Not long after he arrived at the host hotel in Jacksonville on Tuesday, Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) sat for the UFC’s new pandemic health safety protocol. “I went through the testing process today. It was interesting,” he told the media on a call arranged by UFC.
The test is often described as a cotton swab pushed through your nostrils and swirled around the outside of your brain, was filmed by one of his training team members. As uncomfortable as that sounds, take a look as he barely moved through it all.
With all of the new precautions in place, it was surprising to hear the fighters were transported by UFC to Florida via coach accommodations. “I wish they put us on the private plane. I had my shades on and it felt like Mortal Combat,” Ferguson said.
In addition to the absence of fans inside of VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, members of the broadcast team will each be seated separately around the cage. Expect longer transition times between matches as UFC will be attempting to sanitize the mat. Also, there will be no post-fight interviews in the Octagon.
It’s very likely the winner of Ferguson vs Gaethje will go on to face Nurmagomedov for the belt. For Ferguson, it will be the fifth time he’s scheduled to do so.
For Gaethje it will be the fulfillment of a long held dream to be champion.
Loosely translated in Spanish and Portuguese, El Cucuy means boogie man. Folklores describe the character as a nightmare of sorts. Ferguson is definitely the kind of guy to turn an opponent’s dream title shot into a nightmare during UFC 249.
UFC 249 kicks off three events in the Jacksonville area for Saturday, May 13 and May 16.
On May 13, Anthony Smith (32–14–0) and Glover Teixeira (30–7–0) will face off in a UFC FIght Night main event. Three days later, Alistair Overeem (45–18–0) and Walt Harris (13–7–0) will meet for the second card of UFC Fight Night.
On May 23, Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns are expected to headline the card.
All UFC events in Jacksonville are closed to the public and will have only essential personnel in attendance.
Last month, White said international bouts will take place at a location he described as, “Fight Island.”
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