Tony Ferguson decimated man that many believe beat Khabib Nurmagomedov in his iconic UFC ‘boogeyman’ run
Tony Ferguson was once one of the most feared competitors on the entire UFC roster.
His run in the promotion may have ended in a disappointing losing streak but before then, he was on one of the most exciting runs that a fighter has ever produced.
Ferguson has had to answer some big questions about his future after fighting for the last time inside the Octagon in August of 2024.
He’s now set to test himself in a different area, with Ferguson featured on Misfits Boxing’s huge event this weekend in Manchester, England where he faces Salt Papi.
The former interim lightweight champion might not be at his very best anymore but when he was, you couldn’t afford to look away from the screen.
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Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesTony Ferguson made quick work of Gleison Tibau when they faced off in 2015In February of 2015, Tony Ferguson looked to extend his lightweight winning streak that came after his first setback inside the Octagon.
‘El Cucuy’ bounced back from a decision loss to Michael Johnson in 2012 by beating Mike Rio, Katsumori Kikuno, Danny Castillo and Abel Trujillo.
The opponent that stood in the way of his fifth consecutive win was a veteran of the division who had proven to be a very difficult test for the man that would go on to be Ferguson’s greatest rival.
Some still believe that Gleison Tibau deserved to beat Khabib Nurmagomedov when they fought at UFC 148 in 2012.
This wasn’t the case when the Brazilian faced off with Ferguson several years later and was submitted in the first round by the American at UFC 184.
Joe Rogan has often referred to Ferguson as the UFC’s ‘boogeyman’ and it’s because of relentless and violent performances like this where he hurt Tibau on the feet before wrapping him up in a slick submission.
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Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesTony Ferguson went on to win 12 fights in-a-row before his momentum hit a wallEven after recording his fifth consecutive win over Gleison Tibau, this was just the start of Tony Ferguson’s devastating run in the UFC’s lightweight division.
He would eventually build this streak all the way to twelve, which is the same number that Khabib Nurmagomedov accomplished in the UFC before he retired undefeated.
Tony Ferguson’s ‘boogeyman’ run opponentsResultMike RioSubmission – Round 1Katsunori KikunoKO – Round 1Danny CastilloSplit decisionAbel TrujilloSubmission – Round 2Gleison TibauSubmission – Round 1Josh ThomsonUnanimous decisionEdson BarbozaSubmission – Round 2Lando VannataSubmission – Round 2Rafael dos AnjosUnanimous decisionKevin LeeSubmission – Round 3Anthony PettisTKO – Round 2Donald CerroneTKO – Round 2Ferguson then went on to record the longest losing streak in UFC history at eight fights, but there’s no denying that the run ‘El Cucuy’ went on was truly special.
