In a career-defining moment, Tony Ferguson finds himself at a crossroad following his seventh consecutive loss at UFC 296 against Paddy Pimblett. The defeat has left many questioning the future of the former interim lightweight champion, with UFC CEO Dana White calling for Ferguson's retirement. However, White stopped short of confirming whether the promotion would release him or offer another fight.

Ferguson has remained relatively silent since his latest defeat, but fellow UFC veteran Matt Brown is not ready to give up on him just yet. Brown, who initially underestimated Pimblett's abilities, admitted that the young fighter put on a better performance against Ferguson than anticipated.

Acknowledging the caliber of opponents Ferguson has faced in his recent losses, Brown stated, "When you look at the resume of the people he's lost to, it's nothing to be ashamed of. These are killers." However, with his loss to Pimblett, it raises questions about both fighters' capabilities. Is Paddy Pimblett better than originally thought, or is Tony Ferguson on his last leg? For Brown, the fight did not provide all the answers he sought.

It is evident that Ferguson has not been the same dominant force he once was during his 12-fight winning streak in one of the deepest divisions of the sport. Many anticipated bouts against Khabib Nurmagomedov, including potential title fights, were thwarted by injuries, bad timing, and the global pandemic. Instead, Ferguson engaged in a memorable war with Justin Gaethje at UFC 249, where he suffered a fifth-round stoppage defeat after nearly finishing Gaethje early in the fight.

Brown wonders if the brutal encounter with Gaethje had a lasting impact on Ferguson: "I feel like that fight [with Justin Gaethje] or the [Michael] Chandler one just took it out of him." He recounts the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Ferguson's knee injury and questions whether the punishing blows from Gaethje scrambled his mental and physical abilities.

While Ferguson's UFC career hangs in the balance, Brown still envisions a possible return to the octagon. However, he suggests that Ferguson explores grappling matches to assess if he still possesses the skills to compete at the highest level without risking further damage to his brain.

"I'd just love to see him do something else. Not just be risking his brain out there," Brown expressed his concerns regarding the cumulative damage Ferguson has taken in his recent fights. Highlighting the beatings suffered against Chandler and Gaethje, Brown emphasizes the need for Ferguson to find a stylistically favorable match-up that minimizes potential peril.

Brown suggests a potential fight against Ryan Hall, believing it could be a suitable matchup without significant risk. Whether it serves as a retirement fight or a chance for Ferguson to regain his confidence, Brown sees opportunities for Ferguson within the right circumstances.

As Ferguson's future in the UFC remains uncertain, only time will tell if he can make a triumphant return to the octagon. For now, fans and pundits alike wait with bated breath to see if "El Cucuy" can overcome this career setback and find his way back to victory once more.