Chiesa submits Ferguson who ponders retirement

Michael Chiesa made quick work of the skidding Tony Ferguson.

Chiesa (17-7 MMA, 12-7 UFC) was able to finish Ferguson (25-11 MMA, 15-9 UFC) as soon as the fight hit the mat, submitting him with a rear-naked choke at the 3:44 mark of Round 1 on Saturday. The welterweight bout was part of the UFC on ABC 7 main card at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Round 1 started off with Ferguson stalking Chiesa. He landed a leg kick which was the only strike attempt in the first minute. Chiesa then landed a body kick, followed by stiff jab.  Ferguson connected with a combination as he continued to back Chiesa down. Ferguson landed a leg kick, but Chiesa grabbed a hold of him and took him down. Chiesa slickly transitioned to the back and quickly secured a rear-naked choke to tap Ferguson out.

MICHAEL CHIESA SUBMITS TONY FERGUSON IN ROUND 1 🔒 #UFCAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/8wfbtmle3c

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 3, 2024

Chiesa handed Ferguson his eighth straight loss, a UFC record. Ferguson refused to fully commit to retirement, only laying down one glove in the octagon. He was given the microphone for his presumed retirement after he took the gloves off, then said he was keeping one just in case he changed his mind. On his way to the locker room, he said with a UFC camera following him that he was not done and still had things to work on.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ABC 7 results include:

• Michael Chiesa def. Tony Ferguson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:44
• Mackenzie Dern def. Loopy Godinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Joel Alvarez def. Elves Brener via TKO (knees) – Round 3, 3:36
• Azamat Murzakanov def. Alonzo Menifield via KO (punches) – Round 2, 3:18
• Kaue Fernandes def. Mohammad Yahya via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:45
• Shamil Gaziev def. Don’Tale Mayes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Guram Kutateladze def. Jordan Vucenic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Sam Hughes def. Viktoriia Dudakova via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)
• Jai Herbert def. Rolando Bedoya via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Sedriques Dumas def. Denis Tiuliulin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.