Tony Ferguson

Fighter Facts

• Team Lesnar member on TUF13
   
• Finished all TUF opponents
   
• 13 wins by KO, eight by submission (3 D’arce, 2 triangle, 3 RNC)
   
• Nickname means “The Boogeyman” in Spanish
   
• Pro since 2008
   
• Has won 12 of his last 16
   
• Nine first round finishes

UFC History
UFC 274 (5/7/22) Ferguson was knocked out by Michael Chandler at :17 of the second round 
UFC 262 (5/15/21) Ferguson lost a three round unanimous decision to Beneil Dariush
UFC 256 (12/12/20) Ferguson lost a three round unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira
UFC 249 (5/9/20) Ferguson was stopped by Justin Gaethje via strikes at 3:39 of the fifth round in a fight for the interim UFC lightweight title
UFC 238 (6/8/19) Ferguson defeated Donald Cerrone via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of the second round
UFC 229 (10/6/18) Ferguson defeated Anthony Pettis via TKO (corner stoppage) at 5:00 of the second round
UFC 216 (10/7/17) Ferguson submitted Kevin Lee via triangle choke at 4:02 of the third round to win the interim UFC lightweight title
UFC Fight Night (11/5/16) Ferguson won a five round unanimous decision over Rafael Dos Anjos
UFC Fight Night (7/13/16) Ferguson submitted Lando Vannata via D’Arce choke at 2:22 of the second round
TUF 22 Finale (12/11/15) Ferguson submitted Edson Barboza via D’Arce choke at 2:54 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (7/15/15) Ferguson won a three round unanimous decision over Josh Thomson
UFC 184 (2/28/15) Ferguson submitted Gleison Tibau via rear naked choke at 2:37 of the first round
UFC 181 (12/6/14) Ferguson submitted Abel Trujillo via rear naked choke at 4:19 of the second round
UFC 177 (8/30/14) Ferguson won a three round split decision over Danny Castillo
UFC 173 (5/24/14) Ferguson knocked out Katsunori Kikuno at 4:06 of the first round
UFC 166 (10/19/13) Ferguson submitted Mike Rio via D’Arce choke at 1:52 of the first round
UFC on FOX (5/5/12) Ferguson lost a three round unanimous decision to Michael Johnson
TUF 14 Finale (12/3/11) Ferguson won a three round unanimous decision over Yves Edwards
UFC 135 (9/24/11) Ferguson scored a TKO over Aaron Riley due to a doctor’s stoppage at 5:00 of the first round.
TUF 13 Finale (6/4/11) Ferguson knocked out Ramsey Nijem at 3:54 of the first round

The Ultimate Fighter, Season 13
On episode ten (semifinals), Ferguson stopped Chuck O’Neil via strikes at 3:10 of the third round
On episode nine (quarterfinals), Ferguson stopped Ryan McGillivray via strikes at :45 of round one
On episode six, Ferguson knocked out Justin Edwards at 3:56 of the first round

Q&A

When and why did you start training for fighting? I moved away from Michigan when I was 24 in pursuit of finding happiness and finding myself. What I found was an opportunity to keep competing after college wrestling and to put some extra change in my pocket. I always liked being in the spotlight as an athlete. What can I say? I'm a glory hound. After my second pro fight, I quit my day job and decided to give my life a fighting chance. I barely made ends meet by personal training and teaching self defense, but that's what I needed to do to keep my face in the gym 24/7. If you want something bad enough, you have to fight for it. For the first time in my life, things made sense. I'd just get up, train early & hard and lay some hands down to pay the bills. It made it feel like I earned my way doing what "I" wanted to do. I finally found my niche. Mixed Martial Arts as a whole has allowed me to express myself through movement and self-sacrifice. All or Nothing.
What ranks and titles have you held? Former interim UFC lightweight champion, The Ultimate Fighter season 13 winner. 3x Michigan High School Athletic Association All- State Honors w/ a State Championship my Senior year. 2x Collegiate All-American via Grand Valley State University, black belt in BJJ
Do you have any heroes? Mr. Big Guns Upstairs...GOD, and Dan Gable
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means the world to me!!! I've never wanted anything so bad in my life. I've had my ups and downs in life, and, no matter what, I always found myself always making it through all right. I'm blessed to be able to keep competing. It's my dream and my destiny to show the whole world what I can do, what I am capable of physically and mentally.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I attended Central Michigan University and Muskegon Community College, and then found my way to Grand Valley State University. At the time, I didn't know what I wanted to be (I switched majors from Physical Therapy to Criminal Justice to Nursing), so I decided I would wait to finish my degree. I know now, though, and plan on re-enrolling in the fall to finish what I started!
What was your job before you started fighting? I've had a lot of jobs, but the one I had for the longest time was being a Bartender. I loved my job and loved being around so many people. I heard everyone's life story, and I was able to be hospitable and have a good time.
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? 22 second KO in my first and only ammy Fight!
Specific accomplishments in pro competition? Pure Combat 170lbs Welterweight World Champion Belt Holder. I also made TUF history, I guess, with the 1st Upkick KO in my 1st Ultimate Fighter showing!
Favorite grappling technique: Ankle pick, and low singles baby!!!
Favorite Striking technique: Left Hook, Right Cross!!! Back ta back!