Tony Ferguson (fighter)
Encyclopedia
Tony Ferguson is an American mixed martial artist
who competes in the lightweight
division for the UFC. Ferguson was the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.
Ferguson took to athletics extraordinarily well, and went on to earn 12 varsity letters at Muskegon Catholic Central High School in football, baseball and wrestling. He was the starting cornerback on the 2002 state football champions and was a three-time All-State selection in wrestling, winning the 152 lbs division in 2002.
After high school, Ferguson enrolled at Central Michigan University before transferring to Grand Valley State University. He also did a stint at Muskegon Community College. He went on to garner All-American honors twice, winning the national championship in the 165 lbs division once.
Ferguson moved back to California to be closer to his extended family, working in marketing and sales during the day and picking up shifts as a bartender at night. One night while tending bar, a patron talked to him about his wrestling background and invited him to work with some young mixed martial arts fighters with their wrestling. Ferguson immediately fell in the love with the sport and hasn’t looked back since, devoting himself entirely to his MMA career.
Ferguson was the third pick of Team Lesnar and the fifth overall. Ferguson was matched up with alternative, Justin Edwards, for his preliminary bout. After a back and forth first round, Edwards was able to take Ferguson down. But while on the ground, Ferguson landed a devastating upkick that knocked out Edwards. With the win, Ferguson moved on to the quarter-finals.
For his quarterfinal fight, Ferguson fought Ryan McGillivray
, quickly earning the knockout win afer catching McGillivray with a short uppercut and following up with ground and pound. The win moved him into the semi-finals where he faced his teammate, Chuck O'Neil
. Ferguson defeated O'Neil in the final episode via TKO in the third round, sending him to the finals to face Ramsey Nijem
.
against Ramsey Nijem
to determine the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 13
. Ferguson defeated Nijem via KO in the first round, making him the winner of the Ultimate Fighter Season 13. Ferguson also earned the 'Knockout of the Night' bonus for his finish of Nijem.
Ferguson faced Aaron Riley
on September 24, 2011 at UFC 135
. While the fight was competitive early, Ferguson landed a strong left uppercut, and Ferguson dominated the remaining two minutes of the round. Immediately after the end of the first round, Riley told his corner that his jaw was broken. The fight was declared a TKO victory for Ferguson, as ringside doctors would not allow Riley to continue.
Ferguson is scheduled to fight veteran Yves Edwards
at the The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale
.
|Win
| align="center" | 12-2
|
Aaron Riley
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| UFC 135
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 5:00
| Denver, Colorado
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|11-2
| Ramsey Nijem
|KO (punches)
|The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:54
|Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|10-2
| Brock Jardine
|TKO (punches)
|PureCombat 12: Champions for Children
|
|align=center|4
|align=center|2:35
|Clovis, California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|9-2
| David Gardner
|TKO (punches)
|CA Fight Syndicate: Battle of the 805
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|N/A
|Ventura, California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|8-2
| Chris Kennedy
|TKO (doctor stoppage)
|NFAMMA: Resurrection
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:29
|Ventura, California
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|7-2
| Jamie Toney
|Submission (triangle choke)
|NFAMMA: MMA at the Hyatt 3
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:15
|Westlake Village, California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|7-1
| James Fanshier
|Decision (unanimous)
|Rebel Fighter
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|6-1
| Devin Benjamin
|TKO (punches and elbows)
|NFAMMA: MMA at the Hyatt II
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|N/A
|Westlake Village, California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|5-1
| Daniel Hernandez
|TKO (punches)
|NFAMMA: Riot at the Hyatt
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:22
|Westlake Village, California
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|4-1
|
Karen Darabedyan
|Decision (unanimous)
|All Star Boxing - Caged in the Cannon
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:00
|Montebello, California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|4-0
| Frank Park
|Submission (triangle choke)
|Long Beach Fight Night 3
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:43
|Long Beach, California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|3-0
| Joe Schilling
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Total Fighting Alliance 12
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:12
|Long Beach, California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|2-0
| Brandon Adams
|TKO
|TFA 11: Pounding at the Pyramid
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:18
|Long Beach, California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|1-0
| Steve Avalos
|Submission
|CXF: Anarchy at the Arena
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:25
|Upland, California
, United States
|
|-
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
who competes in the lightweight
Lightweight (MMA)
The lightweight division in mixed martial arts can refer to a number of different weight classes:* The UFC & Strikeforce lightweight division with upper limit at 155 lb...
division for the UFC. Ferguson was the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.
Early Life
Ferguson grew up in Oxnard, CA, of Mexican heritage, As a southern California native living in a small Midwestern town, Ferguson’s father enrolled him in sports at a young age to help him make friends and fit into his new surroundings.Ferguson took to athletics extraordinarily well, and went on to earn 12 varsity letters at Muskegon Catholic Central High School in football, baseball and wrestling. He was the starting cornerback on the 2002 state football champions and was a three-time All-State selection in wrestling, winning the 152 lbs division in 2002.
After high school, Ferguson enrolled at Central Michigan University before transferring to Grand Valley State University. He also did a stint at Muskegon Community College. He went on to garner All-American honors twice, winning the national championship in the 165 lbs division once.
Ferguson moved back to California to be closer to his extended family, working in marketing and sales during the day and picking up shifts as a bartender at night. One night while tending bar, a patron talked to him about his wrestling background and invited him to work with some young mixed martial arts fighters with their wrestling. Ferguson immediately fell in the love with the sport and hasn’t looked back since, devoting himself entirely to his MMA career.
The Ultimate Fighter
Ferguson had signed with the UFC in 2011 to compete on the The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.Ferguson was the third pick of Team Lesnar and the fifth overall. Ferguson was matched up with alternative, Justin Edwards, for his preliminary bout. After a back and forth first round, Edwards was able to take Ferguson down. But while on the ground, Ferguson landed a devastating upkick that knocked out Edwards. With the win, Ferguson moved on to the quarter-finals.
For his quarterfinal fight, Ferguson fought Ryan McGillivray
Ryan McGillivray
Ryan McGillivray is a Canadian mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, McGillivray was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.-Early life:...
, quickly earning the knockout win afer catching McGillivray with a short uppercut and following up with ground and pound. The win moved him into the semi-finals where he faced his teammate, Chuck O'Neil
Chuck O'Neil
Chuck O'Neil is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, O'Neil has fought all over the Massachusetts area, building an 8-3 record on the regional circuit even having a 1-0 stint in Bellator Fighting Championships...
. Ferguson defeated O'Neil in the final episode via TKO in the third round, sending him to the finals to face Ramsey Nijem
Ramsey Nijem
Ramsey Nijem is a Palestinian-American mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight and lightweight divisions. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Nijem has made a name for himself fighting in Utah. He was a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs...
.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ferguson officially made his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 13 FinaleThe Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team Dos Santos Finale, , was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on June 4, 2011 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.-Background:Featured were the finalists from The Ultimate Fighter 13 – Team Lesnar...
against Ramsey Nijem
Ramsey Nijem
Ramsey Nijem is a Palestinian-American mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight and lightweight divisions. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Nijem has made a name for himself fighting in Utah. He was a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs...
to determine the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 13
The Ultimate Fighter 13
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos is the thirteenth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter....
. Ferguson defeated Nijem via KO in the first round, making him the winner of the Ultimate Fighter Season 13. Ferguson also earned the 'Knockout of the Night' bonus for his finish of Nijem.
Ferguson faced Aaron Riley
Aaron Riley
Aaron Matthew Riley is an American mixed martial arts fighter who currently teaches MMA at Warrior Gym in Alexandria, Virginia. He competes in the Lightweight Division.-Ultimate Fighting Championship:...
on September 24, 2011 at UFC 135
UFC 135
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.-Background:...
. While the fight was competitive early, Ferguson landed a strong left uppercut, and Ferguson dominated the remaining two minutes of the round. Immediately after the end of the first round, Riley told his corner that his jaw was broken. The fight was declared a TKO victory for Ferguson, as ringside doctors would not allow Riley to continue.
Ferguson is scheduled to fight veteran Yves Edwards
Yves Edwards
|-| Win| align="center" | 41-17-1| Rafaello Oliveira| TKO | UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson| | align="center" | 2| align="center" | 2:44| Washington, D.C||-| Loss| align="center" | 40-17-1| Sam Stout| KO...
at the The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale
The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale
The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 3, 2011 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.-Background:...
.
Mixed martial arts record
|-|Win
| align="center" | 12-2
|
Aaron RileyAaron Riley
Aaron Matthew Riley is an American mixed martial arts fighter who currently teaches MMA at Warrior Gym in Alexandria, Virginia. He competes in the Lightweight Division.-Ultimate Fighting Championship:...
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| UFC 135
UFC 135
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.-Background:...
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 5:00
| Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|11-2
|
Ramsey NijemRamsey Nijem
Ramsey Nijem is a Palestinian-American mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight and lightweight divisions. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Nijem has made a name for himself fighting in Utah. He was a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs...
|KO (punches)
|The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale
The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team Dos Santos Finale, , was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on June 4, 2011 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.-Background:Featured were the finalists from The Ultimate Fighter 13 – Team Lesnar...
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:54
|Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|10-2
|
Brock Jardine |TKO (punches)
|PureCombat 12: Champions for Children
|
|align=center|4
|align=center|2:35
|Clovis, California
Clovis, California
Clovis is a city in Fresno County, California, United States, northeast of Fresno. The population is estimated to be 97,218 as of September, 2011. Clovis is located northeast of downtown Fresno, at an elevation of 361 feet .-History:...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|9-2
|
David Gardner |TKO (punches)
|CA Fight Syndicate: Battle of the 805
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|N/A
|Ventura, California
Ventura, California
Ventura is the county seat of Ventura County, California, United States, incorporated in 1866. The population was 106,433 at the 2010 census, up from 100,916 at the 2000 census. Ventura is accessible via U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|8-2
|
Chris Kennedy |TKO (doctor stoppage)
|NFAMMA: Resurrection
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:29
|Ventura, California
Ventura, California
Ventura is the county seat of Ventura County, California, United States, incorporated in 1866. The population was 106,433 at the 2010 census, up from 100,916 at the 2000 census. Ventura is accessible via U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|7-2
|
Jamie Toney |Submission (triangle choke)
|NFAMMA: MMA at the Hyatt 3
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:15
|Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village is a planned community that straddles the Los Angeles and Ventura county line. The eastern portion is the incorporated city Westlake Village, located on the western edge of Los Angeles County, California. The city, located in the region known as the Conejo Valley, encompasses half...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|7-1
|
James Fanshier |Decision (unanimous)
|Rebel Fighter
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|6-1
|
Devin Benjamin |TKO (punches and elbows)
|NFAMMA: MMA at the Hyatt II
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|N/A
|Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village is a planned community that straddles the Los Angeles and Ventura county line. The eastern portion is the incorporated city Westlake Village, located on the western edge of Los Angeles County, California. The city, located in the region known as the Conejo Valley, encompasses half...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|5-1
|
Daniel Hernandez |TKO (punches)
|NFAMMA: Riot at the Hyatt
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:22
|Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village is a planned community that straddles the Los Angeles and Ventura county line. The eastern portion is the incorporated city Westlake Village, located on the western edge of Los Angeles County, California. The city, located in the region known as the Conejo Valley, encompasses half...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|4-1
|
Karen DarabedyanKaren Darabedyan
Karen Darabedyan is an Armenian professional mixed martial artist. He is more notable for fighting in WEC's lightweight division. He is a training partner of Karo Parisyan and Manvel Gamburyan...
|Decision (unanimous)
|All Star Boxing - Caged in the Cannon
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:00
|Montebello, California
Montebello, California
Montebello is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, in the southwestern part of the San Gabriel Valley. It is located on of land just east of downtown Los Angeles. It is considered part of the Gateway Cities, and the city is a member of the Gateway Cities Council of...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|4-0
|
Frank Park |Submission (triangle choke)
|Long Beach Fight Night 3
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:43
|Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|3-0
|
Joe Schilling |Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Total Fighting Alliance 12
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:12
|Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|2-0
|
Brandon Adams |TKO
|TFA 11: Pounding at the Pyramid
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:18
|Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|1-0
|
Steve Avalos |Submission
|CXF: Anarchy at the Arena
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:25
|Upland, California
Upland, California
Upland is a city in San Bernardino County, California, located at an elevation of 1,242 feet . As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 73,732, up from 68,393 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated on May 15, 1906, after previously being named North Ontario.-History and culture:Upland...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-