Tony Ferguson dropped a bombshell by announcing that he and Conor McGregor have been approached to coach on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, reigniting their intense rivalry.
In an Instagram post earlier this week, McGregor announced that he had been contacted regarding reprising his role as a coach on the UFC’s long-running reality TV show followed by a return to the Octagon this year.
Though there has been no official confirmation from the promotion, UFC president Dana White seemingly added to the speculation by sharing McGregor’s post to his Instagram story.
Tony Ferguson has revealed he has been asked to serve as a coach for an upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter
Former UFC interim Lightweight Champion Ferguson indicated that he had also been contacted regarding an upcoming iteration of the series, mentioning both McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov as potential opposing coaches.
‘I’ve Been Asked To Coach On TUF Against Ol’e Fathead,’ Ferguson tweeted regarding Nurmagomedov.
The 38-year-old continued by referencing Nurmagomedov’s weight-cutting complications prior to UFC 209 in 2017 that forced the undefeated lightweight to withdraw from their bout just days after being pictured tiramisu during fight week, and indicated that he will instead coach alongside McGregor.
The 38-year-old called out Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov on Twitter
‘Or Anyone Of My Choosing If That Cake-Eatin’ Sum’Bish’ Wouldn’t Show *mack* What A Vagina Always Ready Anytime Anywhere,.. I Choose You McKnacker See Ewe Soon- Thee Champ -CSO-‘
McGregor reminisced about his time serving as a coach on the 22nd season of the popular series in an Instagram post earlier this week.
‘This is a snap from the original Ultimate Fighter house. Where I coached vs. Urijah Faber. ‘This photo was just before the show tho. It was right before I won my first world title beating Urijah team mate Chad Mendes around.
‘I then went on to coach the famous fight show straight after the fight. With a big black eye and a gash, my tricolor, and my new and first ever UFC gold belt, I waltzed into the notorious fight gym in Las Vegas.
McGregor coached on the television series in 2015 alongside UFC legend Urijah Faber
‘The slickest suits and shouts the show had ever seen before. On top of the silverware. And I coached my team to victory. Crazy. Some journey. I have just been offered to coach this role again.
‘I like it. It is full immersion which is needed. I see fighters lining up. I know whats ahead I been ready motherfuckers. #StayReady.’
Ferguson earned his place in the UFC by winning the 13th season of The Ultimate Fighter by defeating Ramsey Nijem in 2011.
After suffering his first defeat inside the Octagon against Michael Johnson, ‘El Cucuy’ would embark on a twelve fight winning streak between 2013 and 2019 that saw him capture the interim lightweight crown.
However, since been defeated by Justin Gaethje in 2020, Ferguson has lost a further four fights, most recently against Nate Diaz at UFC 279 in September.
