Tony Ferguson Targets Early 2025 UFC Return
On October 15, 2024, Tony Ferguson said he was not retiring and hoped to fight again in early 2025. That plan followed his August 3 loss to Michael Chiesa at UFC Abu Dhabi, where Chiesa submitted him with a rear-naked choke at 3:44 of the first round, according to the UFC’s official event results.
The 2025 UFC Return Did Not Happen
Ferguson’s bout with Chiesa was his eighth consecutive UFC loss and his last appearance in the promotion. The January or February 2025 target discussed in October 2024 passed without a UFC comeback. In August 2025, Ferguson described his UFC departure as a mutual split in an interview with MMA Fighting.
Ferguson Continued Competing
Ferguson moved into Misfits Boxing. He made his boxing debut against Salt Papi on August 30, 2025, winning by third-round stoppage, as DAZN reported. In December, he defeated Warren Spencer by unanimous decision to claim the Misfits middleweight title, according to the promotion’s announcement. In June 2026, he also competed in wrestling against Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 10; Tsarukyan won by technical fall, MMA Fighting reported.
Where Things Stand
On September 26, 2026, Ferguson defended his Misfits middleweight title by stopping Mahmood Sebie in the second round. MMA Fighting reported the finish came at 0:42 of the round. Ferguson has spoken about wanting to return to MMA, but as of October 13, 2026, no UFC return or new MMA bout has been announced in the sources cited here. His 2024 comeback target has therefore become a record of what he hoped to do at the time, rather than a confirmed fight plan.
Sources
- UFC: UFC Abu Dhabi main-card results
- MMA Fighting: Ferguson discusses his UFC exit
- DAZN: Ferguson vs. Salt Papi
- Misfits Boxing: Ferguson vs. Warren Spencer result
- MMA Fighting: Tsarukyan vs. Ferguson at RAF 10
- MMA Fighting: Ferguson vs. Mahmood Sebie
Tags: Wrestling, Olympic Wrestling
