LAS VEGAS – Tony Ferguson found the mental boost he needed by training with David Goggins.
Ferguson (25-9 MMA, 15-7 UFC) is set to face Paddy Pimblett (20-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in a lightweight bout on the main card of UFC 296 this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. After a six-fight losing streak, he’s aiming to turn things around. The main card will be available on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on ESPN+.
To make a change, Ferguson sought help from Goggins, a former Navy SEAL. ‘El Cucuy’ tackled Goggins’ challenging ‘Week in Hell’ after an intense cardio session.
“It was really tough. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” Ferguson shared with MMA Junkie and other reporters at UFC 296 media day on Wednesday. “But I’m glad I did it.”
While some, like Pimblett and Daniel Cormier, questioned Ferguson’s mental and cardio abilities, Ferguson believes these are already his strengths. However, he asserts that the push he received was exactly what he needed.
“It was necessary,” Ferguson emphasized. “I’ve never been pushed that hard or challenged to exceed my limits. I needed to push myself to the point of exhaustion. I needed someone to push me, to yell at me, to experience that rough week.”
“It wasn’t easy. I know no one else has gone through something like that. Mentally, physically, emotionally, I had to dig deep. I gave it my all when I thought I had nothing left,” he added.
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