History of Tony Ferguson in Timeline

Tony Ferguson is an American professional mixed martial artist, known for his time in the UFC. He was the former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion and won The Ultimate Fighter 13 in 2011. Ferguson competed in the UFC from 2011 to 2025 and now competes in the Welterweight division of the Global Fight League. His fighting style incorporates a variety of disciplines including freestyle wrestling, boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and Wing Chun.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

February 12, 1984: Tony Ferguson's Birth

On February 12, 1984, Anthony Armand Ferguson Padilla, also known as Tony Ferguson, was born. He later became a professional mixed martial artist.

2000: State football champion

In 2000, Tony Ferguson was the starting defensive back for the Division 8 state football champions at Muskegon Catholic Central High School.

2002: All-State wrestling selection

In 2002, Tony Ferguson was a three-time All-State selection in wrestling and won the 152-lb division.

2006: Won wrestling championship

In 2006, Tony Ferguson won the National Collegiate Wrestling Association national wrestling championship in the 165-lb division.

2007: Began professional MMA career

In 2007, Tony Ferguson started his professional MMA career, fighting in small organizations around California. He had a win over Joe Schilling and a loss to Karen Darabedyan.

2008: Started professional MMA career

In 2008, Tony Ferguson began his career as a professional mixed martial artist.

2010: Accepted to The Ultimate Fighter

In 2010, after amassing a 10-2 record and winning the welterweight championship in PureCombat, Tony Ferguson was accepted to compete in season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter.

September 24, 2011: Fight against Aaron Riley

On September 24, 2011, Tony Ferguson faced Aaron Riley at UFC 135. Ferguson won via TKO after the first round due to Riley's broken jaw.

2011: Signed with the UFC

In 2011, Tony Ferguson signed with the UFC, following his win on The Ultimate Fighter 13.

May 5, 2012: Lost to Michael Johnson

On May 5, 2012, Tony Ferguson fought Michael Johnson at UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller and lost by unanimous decision.

October 19, 2013: Victory over Mike Rio

On October 19, 2013, Tony Ferguson returned to face Mike Rio at UFC 166, winning by D'Arce choke submission in the first round and beginning his twelve-fight win streak. He also earned a Submission of the Night award for $60,000.

May 24, 2014: Knockout victory over Katsunori Kikuno

On May 24, 2014, Tony Ferguson faced Katsunori Kikuno at UFC 173 and won the fight by knockout in the first round.

August 2, 2014: Expected to face Danny Castillo at UFC 176

On August 2, 2014, Tony Ferguson was expected to face Danny Castillo at UFC 176; however, the event was canceled.

August 30, 2014: Victory over Danny Castillo at UFC 177

On August 30, 2014, after the cancellation of UFC 176, Tony Ferguson faced Danny Castillo at UFC 177 and won the fight via split decision.

December 6, 2014: Submission win over Abel Trujillo

On December 6, 2014, Tony Ferguson faced Abel Trujillo at UFC 181. Ferguson won the bout in the second round by submission.

February 28, 2015: Submission win against Gleison Tibau

On February 28, 2015, Tony Ferguson faced Gleison Tibau at UFC 184, after Yancy Medeiros pulled out. Ferguson won by submission in the first round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

July 15, 2015: Unanimous decision win over Josh Thomson

On July 15, 2015, Tony Ferguson faced Josh Thomson at UFC Fight Night 71. He won via unanimous decision and earned his second straight Performance of the Night bonus.

December 11, 2015: Victory over Edson Barboza

On December 11, 2015, Tony Ferguson faced Edson Barboza at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale, after Khabib Nurmagomedov pulled out. Ferguson won with a D'Arce choke submission in the second round. He earned his third consecutive Performance of the Night bonus as well as a Fight of the Night bonus.

March 5, 2016: Rematch with Michael Johnson cancelled

On March 5, 2016, a rematch between Tony Ferguson and Michael Johnson was briefly scheduled for UFC 196, but Johnson withdrew due to injury.

April 16, 2016: Fight with Nurmagomedov cancelled

On April 16, 2016, the bout between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov was rescheduled for UFC on Fox 19, but Ferguson pulled out due to a lung issue.

July 13, 2016: Victory over Lando Vannata

On July 13, 2016, Tony Ferguson faced Lando Vannata at UFC Fight Night 91 after Michael Chiesa pulled out. Ferguson won via D'Arce choke and was awarded another Fight of the Night bonus.

November 5, 2016: Victory over Rafael dos Anjos

On November 5, 2016, Tony Ferguson fought Rafael dos Anjos at the Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale. He won by unanimous decision and both participants were awarded Fight of the Night.

October 7, 2017: Interim UFC Lightweight Championship win

On October 7, 2017, Tony Ferguson faced Kevin Lee at UFC 216 for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship. He won by triangle choke submission in the third round.

April 1, 2018: Injury and withdrawal from UFC 223

On April 1, 2018, Tony Ferguson reportedly tore his fibular collateral ligament while walking on the set for a pre-fight media obligation and was forced to withdraw from UFC 223.

April 7, 2018: Bout with Nurmagomedov cancelled

On April 7, 2018, Tony Ferguson was scheduled to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the fourth time at UFC 223, but the bout was cancelled.

October 6, 2018: Victory over Anthony Pettis

On October 6, 2018, Tony Ferguson faced Anthony Pettis at UFC 229. He won the bout via corner stoppage after two rounds, earning Fight of the Night honors.

March 2019: Restraining order filed against Tony Ferguson

In March 2019, Cristina Ferguson, Tony's wife, filed a restraining order against him, citing uncharacteristic behavior. She did not allege physical abuse but sought help for his mental state.

April 2019: Restraining order dropped

In April 2019, Cristina Ferguson dropped the restraining order against Tony, and he began to resume MMA.

June 8, 2019: TKO victory over Donald Cerrone

On June 8, 2019, Tony Ferguson faced Donald Cerrone at UFC 238. He won the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage and earned Fight of the Night honors.

April 18, 2020: Scheduled fight against Nurmagomedov cancelled

On April 18, 2020, Tony Ferguson was scheduled to face Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 249, but the fight was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

May 9, 2020: Lost to Justin Gaethje

On May 9, 2020, after the cancellation of UFC 249, Tony Ferguson fought Justin Gaethje for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship and lost via TKO in the fifth round, earning Fight of the Night honors.

December 12, 2020: Lost to Charles Oliveira

On December 12, 2020, Tony Ferguson faced Charles Oliveira at UFC 256 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

May 15, 2021: Lost to Beneil Dariush

On May 15, 2021, Tony Ferguson faced Beneil Dariush at UFC 262 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

May 7, 2022: Lost to Michael Chandler

On May 7, 2022, Tony Ferguson faced Michael Chandler at UFC 274 and lost the fight via knockout in the second round.

September 10, 2022: Lost to Nate Diaz

On September 10, 2022, Tony Ferguson faced Nate Diaz at UFC 279 and lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the fourth round.

May 7, 2023: Arrested for DUI

In the early hours of May 7, 2023, Tony Ferguson was arrested in Hollywood, California, and charged with driving under the influence after allegedly crashing his pickup truck into two other vehicles. He was later released from custody on a personal recognizance bond.

July 29, 2023: Lost to Bobby Green

On July 29, 2023, Tony Ferguson faced Bobby Green at UFC 291. He lost the fight via technical submission due to an arm-triangle choke in the final seconds of the third round.

December 16, 2023: Lost to Paddy Pimblett

On December 16, 2023, Tony Ferguson faced Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

August 3, 2024: Lost to Michael Chiesa, sets UFC losing streak record

On August 3, 2024, Tony Ferguson faced Michael Chiesa at UFC on ABC 7. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round. With this eighth consecutive loss, Ferguson surpassed B.J. Penn and now holds the record for the longest losing streak in UFC history.

January 24, 2025: Signed with the Global Fight League

On January 24, 2025, it was announced that Tony Ferguson had parted ways with the UFC and signed with the Global Fight League.

May 25, 2025: Scheduled fight at GFL 2 postponed

On May 25, 2025, Tony Ferguson was scheduled to face Dillon Danis at GFL 2 after being drafted by the GFL's Team Los Angeles. However, the first two GFL events were postponed indefinitely.