Tony Ferguson, known for his dynamic and intense career in the UFC, recently shared details about a college wrestling match against Jon Jones, shedding light on a nearly forgotten chapter from their early athletic days. During his time competing in college wrestling, Ferguson faced Jones in a match where he narrowly lost by a single point, illustrating the close and competitive nature of their encounter.
Ferguson’s revelation about the wrestling match took place during a Red Corner MMA interview, where he explained how he moved up two weight classes to wrestle Jon Jones at the Cliff Keen National Duels, competing against opponents who cut significant weight. The focus on the Jon Jones wrestling match with Ferguson highlights the overlap between two of MMA’s most celebrated fighters before their professional careers.
Ferguson’s Wrestling Roots and the Match Against Jon Jones
Before rising to prominence as a UFC lightweight, Tony Ferguson developed a strong foundation in college wrestling through the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA). Noted for his aggressive style and stamina in the octagon, Ferguson’s wrestling background played a crucial role in his fighting strategy and success. During his collegiate career, Ferguson was a three-time All-American and won the 2006 NCWA national championship at 165 pounds.
In one of his most memorable college wrestling moments, Ferguson went up to 175 pounds, two weight classes above his usual division, to face Jon Jones. Jones was cutting weight from 200 to 185 pounds to compete, making the match a significant challenge for Ferguson. He described the match as narrowly lost by one point but emphasized how close he was to defeating Jones.
“I wrestled Jon Jones in college. I lost by one point. I bumped up two weight classes. I won nationals at 165-lbs. I jumped up two weight classes and I was weighing at 175-lbs and wrestling these guys, cutting from 200 to 185 lbs and took third at nationals that year. I wrestled Jon Jones at the Cliff Keen National Duels and I lost by one f***ing point. I almost beat him.” —Tony Ferguson via Red Corner MMA
Ferguson’s wrestling style was defined by relentless pressure, powerful takedowns, and excellent conditioning, traits which translated well into his transition to mixed martial arts, where he also developed a reputation as a submission specialist through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training.
Jon Jones’ Collegiate Wrestling Career and Impact
Jon Jones himself enjoyed a notable wrestling career before entering MMA. Competing at the NJCAA level, Jones won the national championship in 2006 at Iowa Central Community College. His strong wrestling base became a fundamental part of his fighting style, blending striking and grappling to dominate his professional opponents.
While Jones has never publicly discussed his match against Ferguson, the encounter remains a point of interest for fans due to the stature both athletes later reached in the UFC. Ferguson’s description adds an intriguing layer to the early connections between two eventually legendary fighters in mixed martial arts.
The Peak of Tony Ferguson’s UFC Career
During his prime, Tony Ferguson was a formidable force in the UFC lightweight division, achieved through an extraordinary 12-fight winning streak that included victories over top fighters such as Rafael dos Anjos, Anthony Pettis, Edson Barboza, and Donald Cerrone. Despite these accomplishments, Ferguson never fought fellow elite lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov, a matchup highly anticipated by fans and analysts alike.
The potential Ferguson-Nurmagomedov fight was canceled multiple times due to injuries, weight problems, and external factors such as the global pandemic. Their absence from the octagon together is widely regarded as one of the biggest lost opportunities in UFC history.
“In the old days, when Tony Ferguson was on his undefeated run, he was one of the Baddest men on the planet. The fact that he and Khabib never got to fight was a real tragedy. When he was in his prime, he tripped on some wire and ripped his f**king knee apart. That’s why the fight got cancelled. He came back but an elite fighter can only operate at their highest level for so many years.” —Joe Rogan via JRE
Ferguson’s decline began following his brutal loss to Justin Gaethje, where he sustained significant damage and appeared noticeably slowed by consecutive weight cuts leading into the interim title fight at UFC 249. That defeat marked the beginning of an eight-fight losing streak, as younger and faster opponents consistently outmatched him.
Legacy and Reflections on an Intense Career
Tony Ferguson’s career, although ending on a challenging note, left a lasting impression on the MMA community. Known for his unorthodox style and impressive cardio, he remains one of the sport’s most entertaining and resilient fighters. The revelation of his close college wrestling match against Jon Jones adds depth to his background and highlights the early paths of two fighters who would go on to define an era in mixed martial arts.
While Jones has not commented on the match, Ferguson’s story offers fans a rare glimpse into a nearly even contest between future UFC stars. This encounter illustrates the foundation each fighter built before transitioning into the world of professional MMA competition.
As Ferguson transitions into retirement, reflecting on moments like his battle with Jon Jones in college wrestling helps preserve his legacy as a tough and skilled competitor who could challenge even the best on any given day.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Jon Jones test positive for?
A. During the hearing, it was shown that Jones tested positive for clomiphene and letrozole metabolites. These are in Tadalafil, an erectile dysfunction drug that Jones admitted using.
Q. Why did Jon Jones have surgery?
A. Neil S. ElAttrache in California performed a procedure to reduce bone spurs in the patient’s left elbow. In October, Jones underwent surgery for a torn pectoral tendon, which will probably sideline him for the first half of 2024. According to Jones, the bone spur surgery requires about 10 weeks for recovery, so it won’t change his expected comeback schedule.