An explicit word and then "Oh wow," is how Tony Ferguson reacted to the news that was given to him during his interview on Thursday with regards to the cancellation of UFC 249 next weekend.
UFC 249 was supposed to be a huge night with major fights happening, all to be ended with the fight that people have been waiting for years to see.
Through all of the bad weight cuts, through all of the injuries, and through both competitors pulling out of the fight, it was finally going to happen. But now that is no more, for now at least.
Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov have been at each other's throats for what feels like ages, and were scheduled to clash on April 18 in New York.
However, the coronavirus was spreading across the world, and some people were doubting the event happening. Dana White was asked about this at an earlier press conference, and the question was met with boos from the crowd. However, what White at the time dismissed, is now a reality.
In a swift occurrence, multiple UFC events were cancelled due to the ban on large crowd gatherings being adopted across the globe.
People were wondering what was going to happen with UFC 249, but White stuck strong and said that the event would just find a new venue. But another wrench was thrown in the plan when it was learned that Khabib could not leave his home country of Russia amid the controversy of the coronavirus.
'The Eagle' was scheduled to defend his lightweight crown, but had to pull out of the fight. Justin Gaethje was then put as his replacement and a venue in California opened up, giving the event new life.
That was promptly taken away on Thursday, however, when the event was cancelled after the state governor Gavin Newsom pressed ESPN and Disney not to go through with the event.
"Ohhhhh well. I’m still gonna train. I’m sure it’s for a good reason. Let’s be real. I got to keep the faith.
"Dude, I’m just gonna keep collecting trophies and doing my same s**t.
“Every single time I wake up in the morning, when I do my work, say my prayers and I do [stuff], I hug my little boy … whew … kiss my wife.
"I just - keep doing what I’m doing. What am I gonna do?”
This was the spirit Ferguson was still in after the fight was called off, but deep down, he must be devastated.