Tony Ferguson Bloodies Josh Thomson In Decisive Win
Few would argue that Tony Ferguson (19-3) was going into UFC Fight Night 71 against his toughest test yet. Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson (20-8) wanted to erase the memory of his decision loss to Bobby Green back in July 2014. Beating “El Cucuy” would’ve put “The Punk” back on track.
When it was all set and done, Thomson lost his second straight bout for the first time in his career.
The two traded kicks at the start of round one. Ferguson got Thomson to back off with some jabs. Thomson tripped Ferguson and took him down, but “El Cucuy” rolled out of danger. Ferguson pressured “The Punk” with leg kicks and a stiff jab. Thomson answered a leg kick with a left hand to the jaw. Ferguson went for a flying knee, but “The Punk” turned it into a takedown. The round ended with Thomson in Ferguson’s guard.
They traded punches early in the second round. Ferguson landed a huge elbow to the head and Thomson went down. “El Cucuy” threw vicious punches and elbows on the ground. Ferguson kept raining down elbows and referee Herb Dean warned Ferguson about using the fence to advance his position. The fight returned to the standup. Ferguson’s leg kick was caught, but Thomson looked wobbly. “The Punk” wound up in Ferguson’s guard, allowing “El Cucuy” to latch onto a triangle. He blooded Thomson with elbows off his back.
Thomson escaped the triangle, but was caught in a kimura. Ferguson rolled Thomson over, but couldn’t finish the submission. He continued hammering away at “The Punk.” Thomson showed incredible heart by throwing punches until the round was over.
Ferguson went for a flying kick, but his leg was caught. Ferguson landed a leg kick and punch to the head. Ferguson nailed Thomson with a standing elbow to the head and the blood kept trickling down “The Punk’s’” face. Ferguson hit Thomson with a knee to the body as “The Punk” failed to secure a takedown. “El Cucuy” connected with a leg kick. Ferguson pelted Thomson with a knee to the body. Thomson missed a spinning back fist. The fight ended with Thomson having control of Ferguson’s back.
Final Result: Tony Ferguson def. Josh Thomson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
