"Maybe he's just been unlucky" - Justin Gaethje talks about Tony Ferguson's "downfall" after fighting him

Tony Ferguson has not been the same fighter since facing Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. The TKO loss to Gaethje marked the first of five straight defeats for Ferguson. 'The Highlight' recently opened up on the change in the No.15-ranked lightweight following their UFC 249 meeting.

We have NEVER seen anyone beat the hell out of Tony Ferguson like that. #AndNew. Justin Gaethje just put on a CLINIC. #UFC249 https://t.co/NCzsgqJkB8

While speaking to Makoa Golbe of LowKick MMA, Gaethje was asked if he feels responsible for Ferguson's decline. He replied:

"No, I'm not responsible for that. The shots he took that night, the amount of shots he took, I don't think it changed... I didn't take confidence from him, but did our experience together make him lose confidence in his abilities?"

Gaethje continued about how 'El Cucuy' may have just been "unlucky":

"He might be slower. He dropped Chandler in the first round. Chandler's just as old as him. Every fight is different, I got rocked ten seconds into my last fight, it's never happened before... He's had some bad luck. I don't put a lot in luck and chance, but those are factors when we step in there so maybe he's just been unlucky."

It is clear that Ferguson has not been the same fighter since fighting for the interim title at UFC 249. Entering the matchup, he had not lost in over eight years and was riding a twelve-fight win-streak.

Following his matchup with Gaethje, Ferguson lost back-to-back unanimous decisions against Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush. He then lost to Michael Chandler in brutal fashion as he was knocked out by a vicious front kick. In his most recent fight, Ferguson was submitted by Nate Diaz and it marked his first submission loss in nearly 13 years.

Watch Justin Gaethje's comments on Tony Ferguson below:

Justin Gaethje on potential Conor McGregor fight

Conor McGregor is by far the most popular mixed martial artist of all time. He has, however, been inactive since breaking his leg at UFC 264 nearly a year and a half ago. With McGregor preparing for his UFC return, Justin Gaethje has emerged as a potential opponent.

The No.3-ranked lightweight angled for a fight while suggesting that McGregor could potentially be using steroids. Speaking to MMA Fighting, Gaethje said:

"Sounds to me like he's off taking steroids right now. He hasn't been drug tested by USADA in quite some time. I'm looking for fair competition. If he's on steroids, then give me steroids and let's go. I'm down with that. My health is my biggest factor."

McGregor has reportedly been removed from the USADA testing pool. Following UFC 280, UFC President Dana White stated that McGregor will need to complete six months of testing before making his UFC return, putting his chances of an early 2023 return in doubt.

Dana White says Conor McGregor will need six months in the USADA testing pool before returning. https://t.co/aLbbFiWnSE

Check out Justin Gaethje's comments on Conor McGregor below:

Justin Gaethje is willing to fight Conor McGregor, but is "looking for fair competition."

"Sounds to me like he’s off taking steroids right now. He hasn’t been drug tested by USADA in quite some time."

Full interview with @MikeHeck_JR ▶️ youtu.be/RMkLgYAZY7k https://t.co/D3bQMeunmS