Report: Ferguson-Cerrone booked for UFC 238
The UFC is booking a high-profile lightweight fight between former interim champion Tony Ferguson and fan favorite Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone for UFC 238 in Chicago on June 8, ESPN's Brett Okamoto reports, citing multiple sources.
El Cucuy is back and he's fixin' for a showdown in the Windy City #UFC238 pic.twitter.com/KPlcmjBntF
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 10, 2019
The bout will be an incredible turnaround for Cerrone, who's riding a three-fight winning streak. Cowboy dispatched Al Iaquinta on May 4 to vault to No. 4 in the UFC's lightweight rankings. He's fighting again in just five weeks' time.
Ferguson is currently ranked No. 2 in the division and owns an 11-fight win streak. He last fought in October 2018.
The veteran was shelved after his wife filed a restraining order against him on March 13 out of fear for his mental health. The temporary restraining order expired in April and, after undergoing multiple medical evaluations, Ferguson announced following a meeting with UFC brass last week that his return was impending.
Ferguson and Cerrone are likely positioning themselves for a future title shot. Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is expected to face interim titleholder Dustin Poirier next this fall.