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Tony Ferguson, once regarded as one of the top lightweights in UFC history, has closed a turbulent chapter in his fighting career after parting ways with the promotion. His exit came on the back of a record-setting eight-fight losing streak, a far cry from the days when fans saw him as one of the most feared and unorthodox competitors in the sport.
For years, Ferguson was repeatedly matched against Khabib Nurmagomedov in what was considered one of MMA’s greatest “cursed fights,” only for injuries, weight issues, and other setbacks to derail the matchup. One of those cancellations eventually led Ferguson into an interim title bout against Justin Gaethje—a fight that marked the start of his decline and ultimately ended with his final UFC appearance against Michael Chiesa.
Reflecting on that tough stretch, Ferguson admits he wasn’t himself in many of those performances.
“I’m fighting these guys like a bunch of puds… I was taking opportunities for the fan base,” Ferguson told MMA Fighting. “I didn’t get cut from the UFC. We shook hands and walked away.”
The 41-year-old says his excitement in the latter stages of his UFC run mainly revolved around the possibility of coaching The Ultimate Fighter opposite Nurmagomedov. Once that opportunity fell through, his enthusiasm for other matchups waned.
Following his UFC departure, Ferguson briefly signed with the now-defunct Global Fight League, which collapsed before hosting any events. He has since transitioned into a new chapter with Misfits Boxing, where he is scheduled to face influencer-turned-boxer Salt Papi on August 30. Interestingly, Dillon Danis, a former potential opponent from his GFL stint, will also make his return on the same card, potentially setting the stage for a future clash.
For now, Ferguson’s focus is firmly on boxing. Still, he hasn’t completely closed the door on MMA.
“MMA was a way for me to demonstrate all my talents in one place. Boxing is another opportunity for me to express myself,” he said. “If the right opportunity comes, I’ll grapple or even fight MMA again. But right now, the focus is boxing.”
Despite critics writing him off as past his prime, Ferguson remains motivated to prove otherwise.
“I don’t care what anyone thinks. Put anybody in front of me, and I’ll give the best version of myself,” Ferguson declared. “I’ve been uncomfortable in practice again, and that’s exactly how I need to feel. When I step into that ring, I’ll be more than ready.”
For a fighter long known as “El Cucuy,” this next phase may offer Ferguson a chance to reinvent himself—and remind the combat sports world why his name still carries weight.
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