Ferguson's coach says his fighter 'not as sharp' as usual, praises Gaethje

Tony Ferguson's boxing coach offered some insight into why "El Cucuy" fell short for the first time since 2012 in his interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 last weekend.

"Tony was not as sharp sometimes as we usually see, but Tony was active, he was busy," Rashad Holloway told MMA reporter Helen Yee earlier this week. "Justin Gaethje just fought a hell of a fight. ... He was just able to capitalize on some of the mistakes Tony made.

"Tony fought Tony's fight in some significance, but at the same time, there were a lot of things that he didn't do. And I think that was due to Justin Gaethje (putting) on a good performance, and it is what it is some nights."

Holloway said Ferguson's game plan was to use his reach to land strikes and to avoid getting into close quarters with Gaethje. The trainer said Ferguson did that at times during the fight - which ultimately ended in a fifth-round TKO win for Gaethje - but not as often as he would've liked.

"Tony likes to engage, Tony likes to bang, and that's what makes Tony 'Tony' at the same time," Holloway said.

Ferguson faced some criticism after the fight for rarely trying to get Gaethje down to the mat, as nearly half of the 36-year-old's 13 UFC victories have come by submission. Holloway said it would've been a good idea for Ferguson to work his ground game more, but that it's easier said than done against a high-level wrestler like Gaethje.

"Of course, we all want to see Tony on the ground more," Holloway said.

He added: "At the same time, Gaethje makes it hard. You look at all of Gaethje's fights, Gaethje doesn't let anyone take him on the ground. He does a good job at that - (his) takedown defense is pretty good. It was Gaethje's night."