Tony Ferguson, known for facing top-tier competition throughout his MMA career, recently shared thoughts on who tested him the most inside the cage. Among legendary opponents like Justin Gaethje and Nate Diaz, Ferguson revealed that Edson Barboza stood out as the toughest challenge he ever encountered. This reflection comes as Ferguson prepares to return to combat sports under the Misfits Boxing banner at age 41 on August 30.
Ferguson, often affectionately called ‘El Cucuy,’ has gone toe-to-toe with some of the UFC’s most feared fighters, including Rafael dos Anjos and Paddy Pimblett. However, the unique difficulty posed by Barboza remains unmatched even when compared to other celebrated rivals.
Recounting the Barboza Fight and Its Demands
Ferguson and Barboza clashed in December 2015 during the season 22 finale of The Ultimate Fighter, a reality competition that Ferguson had won four years earlier. Ferguson was originally scheduled to face Khabib Nurmagomedov that night, but Khabib withdrew two months before the event due to a rib injury, leading to Barboza stepping in as Ferguson’s opponent.
Speaking to talkSPORT ahead of his boxing debut, Ferguson described the years of intense preparation he dedicated to facing Barboza.
“
Edson Barboza was probably the one I prepared for the hardest, and it was the coolest,”
Ferguson said.
He was the most fun, and he was a tough opponent.
He emphasized how Barboza’s striking power forced him to brace for punishment, recalling the spinning back kick that required countless sit-ups to endure. “
That dude could hit,
” Ferguson commented during his interview.
The fight itself was a brutal, closely contested battle. In the end, Ferguson secured victory by submitting Barboza with a D’Arce choke in the second round, a hard-fought win that showcased Ferguson’s resilience and strategic skill.
“
He did, and I ate it like a f***ing sandwich. God, I got you.
”
The Impact of the Barboza Victory on Ferguson’s Career
This triumph marked Ferguson’s seventh consecutive win in the UFC, propelling him into a highlight period where he won five more bouts, including capturing the interim lightweight title against Kevin Lee. However, his momentum later faltered after a decisive loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in May 2020, a bout where Ferguson was stopped in the fifth round.
Following that defeat, Ferguson ended his UFC tenure with a streak of seven losses, facing contenders such as Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, and Paddy Pimblett before stepping away from the premier MMA stage.
Ferguson also mentioned that besides Barboza, Brock Jardin was another challenging opponent early in his career, with their 2010 fight securing Ferguson’s entry onto The Ultimate Fighter show.
Ferguson’s Upcoming Return to Combat Sports
Ferguson is set to make a comeback competing in boxing under the Misfits Boxing promotion. On August 30, he will face social media influencer Salt Papi for the interim middleweight title at Misfits 22 in Manchester. The event will also feature a main event clash between former UFC fighters Darren Till and Luke Rockhold, along with influencer debuts such as Joey Essex versus Portuguese influencer Numeiro.
Originally, Ferguson planned to return via MMA in the Global Fight League against Dillon Danis, but that fight was canceled after the GFL scrapped its inaugural event in April. Ferguson also had discussions about a potential bout against Misfits owner and online star KSI, but that fight did not materialize.
Interestingly, Dillon Danis remains active on the Misfits 22 card, where he will contest the promotion’s first MMA light heavyweight championship against Brit Warren Spencer.
Reviewing Ferguson’s Final Matches in the UFC
Ferguson’s career in the UFC ended on a somber note with no victories in his last five fights. These losses included:
- Submission loss to Michael Chiesa in the first round at UFC Abu Dhabi, August 2024
- Unanimous decision defeat to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296, December 2023
- Third-round submission loss to King Green at UFC 291, July 2023
- Fourth-round submission by Nate Diaz at UFC 279, September 2022
- Second-round KO/TKO by Michael Chandler at UFC 274, May 2022
Ferguson’s Legacy and Looking Ahead
Tony Ferguson’s career in mixed martial arts has been defined by his relentless willingness to confront the toughest fighters of his generation. His reflections on Edson Barboza as the most challenging foe underscore the brutal nature of the sport and the respect he holds for the competitors who pushed him to his limits.
As Ferguson transitions back into combat competition through boxing, the fight community watches with anticipation. His August 30 bout will not only mark his return to the ring but also serve as a new chapter in a storied combat sports journey. Whether this move heralds a fresh start or a farewell tour, Ferguson’s contributions to MMA remain influential and emblematic of fierce competition at the highest levels.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How is Justin Gaethje so powerful?
A. Many factors contribute to Justin Gaethje being one of the most powerful figures in combat sports today. He is in excellent physical shape, able to sustain long efforts at a fast pace. His mental toughness is remarkable, allowing him to ignore pain and distractions with ease.