Ferguson suffers UFC-record 8th straight loss in submission to Chiesa

Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson set the record for the longest losing streak in UFC history Saturday afternoon.

Ferguson fell to Michael Chiesa via rear-naked choke submission at the 3:44 mark of the first round on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena.

"El Cucuy" has now lost eight bouts in a row, breaking a tie with former 155-pound champion BJ Penn for the most consecutive defeats ever.

After the fight, Ferguson was noncommittal about his future as an MMA fighter. Ferguson placed one glove on the canvas, signaling this could be his final appearance in the Octagon, but he said he doesn't want to retire. UFC CEO Dana White, meanwhile, has said in recent months that he hopes Ferguson hangs up his gloves soon.

"I don't want to retire. I really don't," Ferguson said. "But I love the UFC, and I don't want to go anywhere else. So, I'm not gonna put both gloves down. I'm gonna put one. And I'm gonna keep the other one just in case."

Moments later, Ferguson said on his way backstage that "it's not time yet" and that he has "shit to work on."

After a few minutes of exchanges on the feet, Chiesa grabbed hold of Ferguson and immediately took his back on the ground. Chiesa attempted a rear-naked choke that Ferguson initially defended. But Chiesa adjusted the choke, sunk it in tighter, and forced the tap.

Chiesa snapped a three-fight losing streak of his own, earning his first win since a unanimous decision over Neil Magny in January 2021 and his first finish since 2018.

Ferguson, widely regarded as an all-time lightweight and one of the greatest UFC fighters to never capture undisputed gold, last won a fight against Donald Cerrone in June 2019.