Tony Ferguson is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)'s Welterweight division. He held the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship and has been with the UFC since winning The Ultimate Fighter 13 in 2011. Known for his diverse training background, Ferguson's fighting style incorporates elements of freestyle wrestling, boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and Wing Chun.
February 12, 1984: Birth of Tony Ferguson
Tony Ferguson was born on February 12, 1984.
2000: State Football Championship
As a high school athlete, Tony Ferguson was part of the team that won the Division 8 state football championship in 2000.
2002: Wrestling Championship Win
Tony Ferguson won the 152-lb division wrestling championship in 2002 while in high school.
2006: National Collegiate Wrestling Championship
Tony Ferguson won the National Collegiate Wrestling Association national wrestling championship in the 165-lb division in 2006.
2007: Early MMA Career
Tony Ferguson began his professional MMA career in 2007, fighting in smaller organizations in California.
2008: MMA Debut
Tony Ferguson made his professional MMA debut in 2008.
2010: The Ultimate Fighter Season 13
In 2010, Tony Ferguson was selected to compete on Season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter, a UFC reality series.
September 24, 2011: Victory Against Aaron Riley
Tony Ferguson secured a TKO victory against Aaron Riley at UFC 135 on September 24, 2011, after Riley sustained a broken jaw.
2011: The Ultimate Fighter 13 Win
Tony Ferguson won The Ultimate Fighter 13 in 2011, marking a significant step in his UFC career.
May 5, 2012: Loss Against Michael Johnson
Tony Ferguson faced Michael Johnson on May 5, 2012, at UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller, and lost by unanimous decision.
October 19, 2013: Return to the Octagon and Win Against Mike Rio
After recovering from an arm injury, Tony Ferguson returned to the UFC on October 19, 2013, at UFC 166, defeating Mike Rio in the first round by D'Arce choke submission. This marked the beginning of his twelve-fight win streak.
May 24, 2014: Victory Against Katsunori Kikuno
Tony Ferguson won his fight against Katsunori Kikuno at UFC 173 on May 24, 2014, by knockout in the first round.
August 2, 2014: UFC 176 Cancellation
Tony Ferguson's scheduled fight against Danny Castillo at UFC 176 on August 2, 2014, was canceled.
August 30, 2014: Victory Against Danny Castillo
Tony Ferguson's fight against Danny Castillo was rescheduled and took place on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177, where Ferguson won by split decision.
December 6, 2014: Victory Against Abel Trujillo
Tony Ferguson defeated Abel Trujillo at UFC 181 on December 6, 2014, by submission in the second round.
February 28, 2015: Victory Against Gleison Tibau
Tony Ferguson won his fight against Gleison Tibau on February 28, 2015, at UFC 184, by submission in the first round.
July 15, 2015: Victory Against Josh Thomson
Tony Ferguson defeated Josh Thomson by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 71 on July 15, 2015.
December 11, 2015: Victory Against Edson Barboza
Tony Ferguson won his fight against Edson Barboza at the Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale on December 11, 2015, by submission in the second round.
March 5, 2016: UFC 196 Cancellation
Tony Ferguson's scheduled rematch against Michael Johnson at UFC 196 on March 5, 2016, was canceled due to Johnson's injury.
April 16, 2016: UFC on Fox 19 Withdrawal
Tony Ferguson was scheduled to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC on Fox 19 on April 16, 2016, but withdrew due to a lung issue.
July 13, 2016: Victory Against Lando Vannata
Tony Ferguson won his fight against Lando Vannata at UFC Fight Night 91 on July 13, 2016, by submission.
November 5, 2016: Victory Against Rafael dos Anjos
Tony Ferguson defeated former champion Rafael dos Anjos by unanimous decision at the Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale on November 5, 2016.
October 7, 2017: Interim UFC Lightweight Championship Win
Tony Ferguson won the interim UFC Lightweight Championship by defeating Kevin Lee via triangle choke submission at UFC 216 on October 7, 2017.
April 1, 2018: Injury and Withdrawal from UFC 223
Tony Ferguson sustained a knee injury on April 1, 2018, forcing him to withdraw from his scheduled fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223.
April 7, 2018: UFC 223 Cancellation
Tony Ferguson was scheduled to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the fourth time at UFC 223 on April 7, 2018, but withdrew due to a knee injury.
October 6, 2018: Victory Against Anthony Pettis
Tony Ferguson won his fight against Anthony Pettis at UFC 229 on October 6, 2018, via TKO after two rounds due to Pettis suffering a broken hand.
March 2019: Restraining Order Filed
In March 2019, Cristina Ferguson filed a restraining order against her husband, Tony Ferguson, alleging uncharacteristic behavior and paranoia.
April 2019: Restraining Order Dropped
In April 2019, Cristina Ferguson dropped the restraining order against Tony Ferguson. He began to resume MMA.
June 8, 2019: Victory Against Donald Cerrone
Tony Ferguson defeated Donald Cerrone at UFC 238 on June 8, 2019, via TKO due to a doctor stoppage after round 2.
April 18, 2020: UFC 249 Fight Cancellation
Initially scheduled to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 249 on April 18, 2020, the fight was canceled due to Nurmagomedov's inability to travel due to the coronavirus pandemic.
May 9, 2020: UFC 249 Fight Against Justin Gaethje
On May 9, 2020, Tony Ferguson faced Justin Gaethje for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 249. Ferguson lost the fight via TKO in the fifth round. The fight earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.
December 12, 2020: UFC 256 Fight Against Charles Oliveira
Tony Ferguson faced Charles Oliveira on December 12, 2020, at UFC 256. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
May 15, 2021: UFC 262 Fight Against Beneil Dariush
On May 15, 2021, Tony Ferguson fought Beneil Dariush at UFC 262. Ferguson lost the fight via unanimous decision.
May 7, 2022: UFC 274 Fight Against Michael Chandler
Tony Ferguson faced former Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler on May 7, 2022, at UFC 274 and lost via knockout in the second round.
September 10, 2022: UFC 279 Fight Against Nate Diaz
On September 10, 2022, at UFC 279, Tony Ferguson was initially scheduled to fight Li Jingliang but instead faced Nate Diaz in the main event. He lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the fourth round.
May 7, 2023: Arrest for DUI
Tony Ferguson was arrested on May 7, 2023, in Hollywood, California, on a DUI charge after crashing his truck into two vehicles.
July 29, 2023: UFC 291 Fight Against Bobby Green
On July 29, 2023, at UFC 291, Tony Ferguson faced Bobby Green in the lightweight division. He lost the fight via technical submission in the third round.
December 16, 2023: UFC 296 Fight Against Paddy Pimblett
Tony Ferguson faced Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 on December 16, 2023. After losing the fight via unanimous decision, Ferguson tied B.J. Penn for the longest losing streak in UFC history.
August 3, 2024: UFC on ABC 7 Fight Against Michael Chiesa
On August 3, 2024, Tony Ferguson fought Michael Chiesa in a welterweight bout at UFC on ABC 7. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.