Sep 10, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Nate Diaz (red gloves) fights Tony Ferguson (blue gloves) during UFC 279 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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UFC Veteran Tony Ferguson Gets New Fight In New Promotion!

UFC legend Tony Ferguson finally gets a new opponent in the Global Fighting League despite rumors of retirement!

Sep 10, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Nate Diaz (red gloves) fights Tony Ferguson (blue gloves) during UFC 279 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

MMA careers have thrilling highs and devastating lows and few fighters embody this reality more than Tony Ferguson. Once the bogeyman of the UFC lightweight division, ‘El Cucuy’ struck fear in opponents with his unorthodox style and relentless pressure.

His 12-fight win streak and capturing interim gold, he seemed destined for an undisputed title shot that somehow always slipped through his fingers. But time waits for no fighter, and Ferguson’s fall from grace has been as dramatic as his rise to prominence. But now, he is coming back, although in a new setting, hoping to break that losing streak record!

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Tony Ferguson’s Next Fight

Now at 41 years old, Ferguson is getting another shot at glory in a fresh setting. The Global Fight League (GFL) has announced that the former UFC interim lightweight champion will face controversial grappler Dillon Danis in their inaugural season. This matchup brings together two fighters at very different career stages, but both with something to prove. For Ferguson, it’s a chance to show he still belongs in the conversation. For Danis, it’s an opportunity to back up years of talk with action against a legitimate name in the sport.

🚨 GFL Fans 🚨
You asked, we listened! Our most requested bout is now official as Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson squares off with Dillon “El Jefe” Danis in a legendary Lightweight matchup. Who you got? pic.twitter.com/kI5owGVC0k
— Global Fight League (@mmagfl) February 28, 2025

The GFL represents an intriguing new chapter for Ferguson. This upstart promotion has been making waves with its unique roster-building approach through a draft system. GFL founder Darren Owen specifically mentioned the Ferguson-Danis matchup back in January, noting his commitment to “making exciting matchups that people actually want to see.”

The fight will take place at the GFL’s lightweight limit of 165 pounds, though the date and location remain undisclosed. This ten-pound difference from the UFC’s 155-pound division might benefit the aging Ferguson, who has historically endured brutal weight cuts.

Danis brings his own peculiar storyline to this fight. Despite holding just a 2-0 professional MMA record (both wins in Bellator), he has managed to stay relevant through social media antics and association with Conor McGregor. His combat sports activity has been sporadic at best, with his last MMA bout taking place in 2019.

More recently, Danis made headlines for a disqualification loss to Logan Paul in a boxing match and appears set to face KSI in another boxing contest in March before meeting Ferguson. The jiu-jitsu specialist has more haters than supporters, but he certainly knows how to keep people talking.

Tony Ferguson’s Future In Combat Sports

Ferguson’s exit from the UFC came after an unprecedented eight consecutive losses. This painful streak began with a brutal beating from Justin Gaethje in May 2020, a fight that many believe permanently changed Ferguson. That night, he absorbed 143 significant strikes in a performance that was equal parts heartbreaking and admirable. The Tony Ferguson who entered the octagon that night never seemed to return. Each subsequent defeat looked more concerning than the last. Yet despite calls for retirement, Ferguson’s warrior spirit remained unbroken.

Tony Ferguson laid one glove down in the Octagon, but says he will consider a return after talking with his family 👀 #UFCAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/XxZef4pwa7
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 3, 2024

For Tony Ferguson fans, this announcement brings mixed emotions. On one hand, seeing a legend continue to compete when his prime is clearly behind him can be tough to watch. On the other hand, Ferguson deserves the chance to write his own ending. The matchup itself actually makes some competitive sense. Danis doesn’t possess the striking power that has troubled Ferguson in recent years. However, his grappling credentials could make for an interesting stylistic clash against Ferguson’s scramble-heavy approach.

(Image Credit: Joe Camporeale – Imagn Images)

Dillon Danis

Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson Next Fight

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!