Tony Ferguson has done what few others ever have - survive a David Goggins "hell week".
'El Cucuy's' limits have been well and truly tested by the former Navy SEAL and ultramarathon runner in the lead up to his fight with Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 in December.
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Goggins, a bestselling author and social media personality with over nine million followers on Instagram, has been sharing videos of himself putting Ferguson through the ringer over the past week.
Day 1 of "Hell Week" saw the UFC lightweight complete over three hours of gruelling high-intensity cardio, over 600 push-ups, and tons of chest exercises, bike, and rowing work.
Despite the brutal schedule, Ferguson has become the first person to successfully complete a Goggins "Hell Week" without quitting.
"Tony finished Hell Week today," Goggins wrote in an Instagram video featuring Ferguson's efforts over the last seven days. "I have had many people try yet he is the first one to get through it.
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"I have had a lot of great athletes over the years want to train with me but for one reason or another, 'something'
always miraculously comes up so they can’t complete it.
"There is a look I see on the faces of people who are on the brink of quitting called the thousand yard stare. They start asking questions- when is it going to end? What’s next? How many sets are left? Are we coming back again tonight? Is this healthy for you?"
He continued: "I broke El Cucuy on Day One, or at least I thought I did. I had him deep in the hurt locker and figured the questions were soon to be coming. I told Kish [Goggins wife] late that night 'this motherf***** is done!'
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"But, I was wrong. He woke up on Day Two even more fired up to go. There was never a question asked. His response was always the same, 'OK, Coach.'
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"I was there for the rebirth of El Cucuy.
"It happened somewhere on the Jacob’s Ladder at around 11:11pm. I knew then that the torture I was putting him through was no longer torture.
"A lot of people ask me if I think he will win his next fight- I don’t have the first damn clue about that. That’s up to Tony. What I do know is that the man who walks into the octagon on December 16th will be a deeply changed man.
"Sometimes when the fight is near, the warrior must go back home because home is where the hell began.
"My friends, Tony is home! Hello darkness my old friend."
Ferguson's brutal training regime has caught the eye of several UFC veterans including Chael Sonnen and Rafael dos Anjos, who have raised concerns about Goggins pushing him too hard.
But Ferguson is clearly prepared to do whatever it takes to end his six-fight losing streak.
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The former interim 155lb champ's last win came against Donald Cerrone at UFC 238 in 2019.
'El Cucy's' training methods have always been a little unorthodox, but his latest approach might just take the biscuit.