The UFC returns to Chicago in June for UFC 238 and those in the Windy City will be elated to hear a fight between Tony Ferguson and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is in the works for the card.
The news was first reported by ESPN duo Ariel Helwani and Brett Okamoto.
Tony Ferguson vs. Donald Cerrone is set for UFC 238 June 8 in Chicago, sources told @bokamotoESPN and I.
Yes, that’s the card in a month. UFC felt 238 was a bit thin and wanted to beef it up with Ferguson’s return.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 10, 2019
Cowboy only fought to a unanimous decision win over Al Iaquinta last week, meaning he will step in to face former interim UFC lightweight champion Ferguson in a typically-quick turnaround time.
With the Iaquinta win last weekend, Cerrone is now riding a three-fight winning streak with two coming since moving back down to welterweight.
Ferguson hasn’t competed since last October in the now-infamous event of UFC 229. That day, Ferguson stopped former UFC and WEC champion Anthony Pettis inside two rounds.
However, 2019 has seen Ferguson very publicly deal with some personal issues away from MMA.
Ferguson announced his renewed availability to fight for the UFC on Monday and it appears the promotion wants “El Cucuy” back in the cage quickly.
“I’m Back MF’s” – Champ Shit Only 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/NR08ef1072
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) May 6, 2019
Should the fight materialise as expected, the winner between Ferguson and Cowboy will certainly be in the frame for a UFC lightweight title shot.
As it stands, UFC 238 already has two title fights leading the event. UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo takes on Marlon Moraes for the vacant UFC bantamweight belt, while Valentina Shevchenko seeks to defend her UFC women’s flyweight crown against Jessica Eye.
