Tony Ferguson speaks out for the first time since brutal KO loss

Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has spoken out for the first time following his brutal knockout loss at the hands of ex-Bellator world champion Michael Chandler over the weekend.

The pair locked horns on the undercard of UFC 274 where Chandler won via second-round knockout courtesy of a highlight-reel front kick. It was Ferguson's fourth consecutive defeat and the first time in his mixed martial arts career that he has been put to sleep inside the cage.

"I've been very fortunate the last couple of camps, and I've been very fortunate that I've walked out OK. I pray to God every day that I walked out of that cage. Not coherent, but I was able to wake up," Ferguson told MMA Junkie.

"I don't remember sitting on the stool. I don't remember barely the second round. I don't remember talking to Chuck Liddell, and I don't remember walking out and seeing the fans," he added.

"All I remember was looking at my coach and the lights kind of went to fade in, like a movie director. I'm walking with my coach and I look at him and I already knew it. I'm like, f--- I lost."

The knockout loss was a tough pill to swallow and a shocking sight to say the least for MMA scribes and fans alike. Following the defeat, fans quickly pointed out that it is time for Ferguson to retire, but the prizefighter does not seem to be headed that way.

"The little basics that I could've did to make sure I could've got out in the first round, and everybody would be kissing my a--. But God works in mysterious ways, and he's not ready yet son," said Ferguson.

"He had me sit down and take a nap and rest for a second because I work my a-- off this camp with this humility that people want to present to me. I'm a new man. I don't care. I've been to hell and back and I'm here now. Reborn again. And I'm here to take over."

—MGP, GMA News