The last year or so has been pretty rough on Tony Ferguson. After winning an interim lightweight title over Kevin Lee at UFC 216, he was later stripped of the belt when he was injured ahead of a proposed fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov. After recovering from the knee injury, Ferguson rebounded with a win over Anthony Pettis at UFC 229 and looked poised to finally get his title shot. Instead, personal problems intervened.

Ferguson’s wife filed for a temporary restraining order against him after multiple police calls had to be made to their house. According to Cristina Ferguson, her husband had begun showing signs of mental health issues that were getting progressively worse. As a result, “El Cucuy” began receiving help and his wife dropped the case.

Ferguson was never arrested nor charged with a crime but the personal turmoil did temporarily sideline his fighting career. On Saturday at UFC 238, Ferguson will try to get things back on track, making his return to the octagon against Donald Cerrone instead of Khabib Nurmagomedov. And though it may not be the fight he was hoping to get, according to his longtime Jiu-Jitsu coach Eddie Bravo, Ferguson is still coming in at the peak of his powers.

“He’s sharper, stronger, in the best shape of his life. It’s the same Tony,” Bravo told Joe Rogan recently. “You’d think, ‘is it the same Tony after he had some family stuff go on? Is that going to change him?’ His opponents hope it changes him, but he’s the same Tony. When it comes to fighting, we don’t get into personal stuff. We just stick to fighting and the strategy. He’s sharper than ever. You can’t guarantee any wins, but I will guarantee he’s going to go in 100% Tony.”

Yesterday it was officially announced that Khabib Nurmagomedov would be unifying the lightweight title interim champion Dustin Poirier in September at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. The winner Ferguson-Cerrone is the presumptive favorite to challenge the undisputed champion next. And though Ferguson is the betting favorite this Saturday, Bravo recognizes that they have their work cut out for them to re-earn that title shot.

“That’s like Russian Roulette right there. They’re gonna be throwing bombs at each other. . .” Bravo said. “Cowboy is no joke,. He doesn’t fight like Khabib, he doesn’t fight like Conor [McGregor]. He fights like Tony. So it’s like similar, it’s like Tony vs. Tony. They’re both good on the ground. They’re very good on the ground. We respect Cowboy’s ground game a lot. We did what we could to make sure nothing bad happens on the ground.”

Cerrone is himself on quite the tear at lightweight. Cerrone has looked like a man on a mission since dropping back down to lightweight, knocking out surging contender Alexander Hernandez and then beating up sixth-ranked Al Iaquinta to claim a unanimous decision. And while Ferguson has had to deal with numerous distractions, Cerrone appears as focused as he’s ever been. But Bravo insists none of that will matter come Saturday.

“Tony is coming for war like he always does. It’s gonna be the same Tony in there throwing down.”

UFC 238 takes place in the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, June 8.

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MUST-READ STORIES

Official. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier official for UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.

$$$. Dana White ‘absolutely’ could see Conor McGregor getting rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Paid. Manager: Khabib Nurmagomedov is now ‘highest-paid athlete in the UFC’ after new deal.

Farewell. Jimi Manuwa announces retirement: ‘It’s time to leave this chapter’.

Signing. Bare-knuckle boxing champion Bec Rawlings headed to Bellator.

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VIDEO STEW

Embedded 2.

The Story of GSP.

Anatomy of UFC 238.

The best of Marlon Moraes’ UFC career.

Henry being Henry.

Anthony Smith on the broken hand.

This looks incredibly fun.

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LISTEN UP

Eurobash. Interviews with Joanne Calderwood and Petr Yan.

Fights Gone By. Recapping UFC Stockholm and the end of Gustafsson’s career.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Dastin.

Farewell.

Respect.

Gaethje is mad.

Beef.

Platinum.

Sage without the spikes is jarring to look at.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Leslie Smith (10-7-1) vs. Sinead Kavanagh (5-3); Bellator 224, July 12.

Khabib Nurmagomedov (27-0) vs. Dustin Poirier (25-5, 1 NC); UFC 242, Sept. 7.

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TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

2009: Joe Soto submitted Yahir Reyes at Bellator 10 to become the promotion’s first ever featherweight champion.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

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EXIT POLL

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