Tony Ferguson Launches Astonishing X-Rated Responses At Journalist Bringing Up His Mental Health Issues

Tony Ferguson shockingly told a reporter to 'f**k himself' after he praised the UFC star for battling back against mental health issues.

The 36-year-old American will return to action in April when he clashes with Khabib Nurmagomedov in a highly-anticipated fight.

During the UFC 249 press conference on Friday, Ferguson was far from happy when Cageside Press reporter Rodney James brought up his mental health issues.

James told Ferguson: "You seem to be in really great spirits. I commend you for going head-first into some mental health issues and working through that, especially a lot of people look up to you."

But Ferguson wasted no time in shutting down the reporter and simply responded: "F**k you."

The MMA reporter tried to explain his reason for bringing up the touchy subject by insisting that he was only praising 'El Cucuy.'

James said: "I was giving you props, I was just wondering..."

However, the former interim UFC lightweight champ interrupted James and doubled down on his previous comment.

"F**k the advice, next question," Ferguson said.

James offered his sincerest apology to the UFC star and tried to clear the air with the fighter at the press conference.

"I wasn't giving you advice, sir. Sorry," he said.

The MMA reporter later took to social media and candidly suggested that he was "legitimately interested in hearing about how you have gotten through the struggles."

James wrote on Twitter: "I guess you didn't recognize me @TonyFergusonXT... you and I have always been cool. I didn't mean to upset you. I was legitimately interested in hearing about how you have gotten through the struggles... maybe some other time. Peace and Love."

Ferguson's battle with mental health hit the headlines last year after wife Cristina Ferguson filed a restraining order against him.

The restraining order was later dropped, but Ferguson lashed out at concerned fans ahead of his UFC comeback against Donald Cerrone last June.

"I tell them to f**k off," he told MMA Junkie. Stop worrying about s**t you can't handle, man. It's not your f*****g problem.

PA

"You really want to f*****g worry about how I am? Buy my f*****g pay-per-view.

"Send me some money, send me whatever, I don't give a f**k. But quit asking dumbass questions."

Ferguson and Khabib will compete for the lightweight championship on 18th April at UFC 249 in Brooklyn, New York.

Don't suffer in silence. It's okay not to be okay, and it's also okay to reach out for help when dealing with mental health.

Find support at the following organisations below.

CALM: 0800 585 858 (outside London: 0808 802 5858); Mind: 0300 123 3393; Papyrus: 0800 068 41 41; Samaritans: 116 123.

Topics: UFC News, MMA News, El Cucuy, Tony Ferguson, UFC, MMA, UFC 249

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

@AdnanRiaz9