Real American FreestyleTony Ferguson
Middleweight · RAF · UFC · Misfits
Overview
Tony Ferguson built one of the great runs in UFC lightweight history and then one of its worst collapses, and at 42 he turned up on a wrestling mat to start again.
The run was twelve straight UFC wins with nine finishes, tied for the second longest lightweight streak in company history alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, and capped by an interim title over Kevin Lee at UFC 216. The collapse was eight consecutive losses, the longest losing streak the UFC has recorded.
He signed with RAF in April 2026 and met Arman Tsarukyan in the RAF 10 co-main event in St. Louis. Tsarukyan led 6-0 off a first period toss and ended it 10-0 early in the second.
His wrestling coach from Grand Valley State, Dave Mills, cornered him that night. Mills had once covered Ferguson's tuition shortfall on a promissory note.
His 2006 national title was NCWA, the National Collegiate Wrestling Association, not NCAA. It is a real national championship in a separate collegiate association, and it is routinely miswritten as an NCAA credential.
RAF Record
0-1 across 1 completed match, every one linked to its full card. A tech fall means a ten point lead ended it early, freestyle wrestling’s version of a squash.
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 13, 2026 | RAF 10 RAF debut | Arman Tsarukyan | L | tech fall 0-10 |
1 match on record, 0 announced
Selected UFC record
Twelve straight wins, then eight straight losses. Both are UFC records or near them.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 3, 2024 | Michael Chiesa | L | Submission, rear naked choke | R1 | UFC on ABC 7 |
| Dec 16, 2023 | Paddy Pimblett | L | Decision, unanimous | R3 5:00 | UFC 296 |
| Sep 10, 2022 | Nate Diaz | L | Submission, guillotine | R4 | UFC 279 |
| May 7, 2022 | Michael Chandler | L | KO, front kick | R2 | UFC 274 |
| Dec 12, 2020 | Charles Oliveira | L | Decision, unanimous | R3 5:00 | UFC 256 |
| May 9, 2020 | Justin Gaethje | L | TKO, punches | R5 | UFC 249, interim title |
| Jun 8, 2019 | Donald Cerrone | W | TKO, doctor stoppage | R2 | UFC 238 |
| Oct 6, 2018 | Anthony Pettis | W | TKO, corner stoppage | R2 | UFC 229 |
| Oct 7, 2017 | Kevin Lee | W | Submission, triangle | R3 | UFC 216, interim title |
9 bouts listed
Background
He wrestled at Grand Valley State after stops at Central Michigan and Muskegon Community College, captained the team, and won the NCWA national title at 165 pounds in 2006. At Muskegon Catholic Central he was a three time All State wrestler, a 2002 state champion at 152 pounds, and a starting defensive back on a state championship football team.
Rivalries
Arman Tsarukyan
RAF billed it as pressure against pressure and a clash of wrestling eras. Tsarukyan tossed him for six in the first period and finished it 10-0 in the second.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
The most famous fight that never happened. The two are tied for the second longest win streak in UFC lightweight history.
Justin Gaethje
The interim title fight that ended the twelve fight run and began the eight loss slide.
FAQ
Did Tony Ferguson wrestle in college?
Yes, at Grand Valley State, where he captained the team and won the 2006 NCWA national title at 165 pounds. That is NCWA, not NCAA.
What is his RAF record?
0-1. He lost to Arman Tsarukyan by technical fall at RAF 10 in June 2026.
Has he retired from MMA?
No announcement has been published. He left the UFC in January 2025 and has since boxed for Misfits and wrestled for RAF.
What is his UFC losing streak?
Eight consecutive losses, the longest in UFC history, passing B.J. Penn with the Michael Chiesa defeat in August 2024.