Tony Ferguson cleared for return to action, targets lightweight title

After sustaining an unfortunate injury in the days leading up to his planned UFC 223 fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov and enduring a surgery and several months of rehab, former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson is ready to return to action. “El Cucuy” announced that his injury woes are behind him on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmVHnbyH0UB/

“Cleared” Made That Recovery My Bitch 4 Months & A Day 🌱Thanks Everyone That Believed In Me, Keep That Shit Up🕴Time For Some Chaos & Reclaim Whats Mine- Champ 🕶 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽 SnapJitsu™️ #snapintuit” – Tony Ferguson Instagram

Tony Ferguson has not competed since October of 2017, when he submitted dangerous lightweight contender Kevin Lee in the third round to capture the interim lightweight title. Ferguson was stripped of this title when he was unable to battle Nurmagomedov at UFC 223. Nurmagomedov was subsequently crowned the undisputed lightweight champion with a decision defeat of last-minute replacement Al Iaquinta.

At present, it’s not known who Ferguson will fight in his long-awaited return to the cage. Given that Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz are all booked, and that Ferguson has already bested other contenders like Edson Barboza and Kevin Lee, the UFC might have a bit of a difficult time on its hand finding him a suitable dance partner. Then again, this guy might fit the mold. 

Whatever the case, the returning Tony Ferguson is likely to fit right into the lightweight title picture. With a win, he might even find himself locked in the cage with the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor’s anticipated lightweight title fight.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 8/11/2018.