Michael Chiesa before UFC on ABC 7: 'I would be a fool to overlook' struggling Tony Ferguson

"I'm training for the guy that I was supposed to fight eight years ago," Michael Chiesa said of Tony Ferguson before they meet at UFC on ABC 7.

ABU DHABI – Michael Chiesa isn’t underestimating Tony Ferguson heading into UFC on ABC 7.

Chiesa (16-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC) will look to hand Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC) a UFC record eighth consecutive loss when the pair square off on Saturday’s main card (ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+) at Etihad Arena.

Prior to his seven-fight losing skid, Ferguson was owner of one of the most impressive winning streaks at lightweight, winning 12 in a row. That’s the version Chiesa is preparing for.

“I would be a fool to train for the Tony Ferguson that’s on a skid,” Chiesa told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC on ABC 7 media day. “I would be a fool to overlook him given the current situation with his career. I’m training for the guy that I was supposed to fight eight years ago. I’m training for the guy I was supposed to fight in the midst of this crazy win streak that he was on.

“Just because he’s 0-7 in his last seven fights doesn’t take away his offense. It doesn’t take away his skills. It doesn’t take away his D’Arce choke. It doesn’t take away all the things that he does very well. I look at some of those fights and kind of put an asterisk next to them.”

Chiesa was scheduled to face Ferguson at UFC Fight Night 91 in July 2016 but withdrew due to a back injury. Eight years later, he gets the opportunity to potentially be Ferguson’s final fight in the octagon.

“Absolutely, especially because it’s unfinished business, but there’s no bad blood between us,” Chiesa said. “That doesn’t mean Tony is necessarily the type of fighter to walk up and dap you up during fight week, but him and I definitely have a mutual respect for each other, so I think I’m his best and last dance partner, and let’s just look at the numbers. I’m 36, I’m 0-3 in my last three fights. It’s a fight that makes sense. It’s not Paddy Pimblett, who’s rolling hot right now,

“It’s not Beneil Dariush, it’s not Charles Oliveira. It’s a fight that makes sense, so I feel like I’m the perfect dance partner for him. Him back at his original weight class that he won ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ at, TUF champ vs. TUF champ, a fight that never happened. I’m the guy. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to send him riding off into the sunset on a win. I’ve got to go out there and beat the guy, and I plan on finishing him.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.