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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Tony Ferguson Bids Farewell To The UFC; Joins Another Promotion!

Tony Ferguson parts ways with the UFC and signs with a new promotion—discover what's next for the MMA legend!

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

Tony Ferguson has finally reached a pivotal moment in his career. After 24 memorable fights and 14 years with the UFC, the former interim lightweight champion is turning the page. He is bidding farewell to the organization that defined his fighting journey and embarking on a new adventure with the Global Fight League (GFL).

Ferguson’s MMA story is one of remarkable highs and challenging lows. His incredible 12-fight winning streak made him a fan favorite and an interim lightweight champion at one point, defeating notable opponents like Donald Cerrone and Rafael Dos Anjos. However, his recent struggles – an unprecedented 8-fight losing streak, the latest of them being against Michael Chiesa at welterweight had fans and experts wondering about his future in the sport.

🚨| BREAKING: The GFL have announced the signing of Tony Ferguson. 😱 pic.twitter.com/MvVtifCpc1
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) January 24, 2025

The move to GFL represents more than just a change of scenery. It is a potential lifeline for a fighter looking to reclaim his former glory and prove he still has something left to offer in the competitive world of mixed martial arts. At 40 years of age, this might be the best decision ‘El Cucuy’ has taken in a while.

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What Is The Global Fight League?

The Global Fight League offers Tony Ferguson a fresh start. The new promotion has further brought together an impressive roster of former UFC champions and fighters like Tyron Woodley, Anthony Pettis, and Paige Van Zanat. This innovative promotion introduces a team-based approach to MMA, drafting 420+ athletes from 67 countries across six global teams. For Ferguson, it’s an opportunity to rebuild his reputation and prove he can still compete at a high level.

📢 The Future of Fighting is Here!

🌍 Watch as 420+ athletes from 67 countries are drafted onto 6 global teams: Dubai, London, LA, Miami, NY, and São Paulo

💥 Featuring MMA superstars:@Showtimepettis, @ilimanator, @TWooodley, @PaigeVanZant , @SageNorthcutt, @KOwczarz, and… pic.twitter.com/UFK2pvkaQn
— Global Fight League (@mmagfl) January 24, 2025

While some critics argue that promotions relying on veteran fighters might struggle, the GFL represents an exciting shake-up in the MMA landscape. Tony Ferguson isn’t listed in the inaugural draft, adding an element of mystery to his potential team placement.

Fans will be watching closely, hoping to see the return of the dynamic fighter who once dominated the lightweight division. And ‘El Cucuy’ definitely has the fan following to bring eyeballs to this new promotion looking to make a name for itself in the cutthroat sport of MMA.

(Image Credit: Joe Camporeale – Imagn Images)

Tony Ferguson

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!