Tony Ferguson’s Boxing Comeback: Significance, Fan Reactions, and Future Prospects

For more than half a decade, Tony Ferguson was trapped in a nightmare. Once one of the UFC’s most feared lightweight contenders — nicknamed El Cucuy for his unrelenting pressure, wild creativity, and indomitable spirit — Ferguson endured an eight-fight losing streak that turned fans’ awe into heartbreak. His last win dated back to 2019 against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 238. Since then, the man once destined to meet Khabib Nurmagomedov for lightweight supremacy was repeatedly outclassed, knocked down, and dismissed as a fading legend.

But in August 2025, at Misfits Boxing 22, Ferguson broke the curse. His opponent was Nathaniel “Salt Papi” Bustamante, a YouTube celebrity-turned-boxer with a growing cult following. The stage wasn’t the UFC Octagon but a boxing ring — yet the moment was monumental. Ferguson scored a third-round TKO, raising his hands in triumph for the first time in five years. Tears flowed, though he insisted they weren’t sadness but joy. Fans exploded online. Headlines around the world debated whether this was the rebirth of a warrior or a fleeting moment of relief.

This article explores the significance of Ferguson’s boxing comeback, the fan and media reactions, and what his future prospects may look like — both in boxing and MMA.

Tony Ferguson: A Career of Extremes

Rise of El Cucuy

Tony Ferguson’s UFC story is the stuff of legends. Winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 13, Ferguson climbed through the lightweight ranks with an unorthodox style. His game blended sharp boxing, devastating elbows, D’Arce chokes from unpredictable angles, and a relentless pace that broke opponents mentally and physically. Between 2013 and 2019, Ferguson racked up 12 consecutive wins, a streak rivaled only by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s dominance.

Analysts hailed him as the “boogeyman” of the lightweight division. Fighters dreaded his pressure, fans adored his chaos, and matchmakers repeatedly booked — and failed — to arrange a fight with Khabib. That “cursed fight” fell through five separate times, fueling myth around Ferguson’s legacy.

The Fall: Eight Straight Losses

From 2020 onward, Ferguson’s career unraveled. Losses piled up against the division’s elite: Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, and Bobby Green. Each fight revealed cracks — slower reflexes, diminished durability, and a hesitance that was uncharacteristic of the fearless “El Cucuy.”

By 2024, Ferguson was no longer seen as a contender but as a cautionary tale of holding on too long. UFC fans openly called for his retirement. “Please, Tony, stop fighting,” became a recurring plea across MMA Twitter. Yet Ferguson resisted. He insisted he still had fire left, even if the UFC spotlight no longer welcomed him as before.

Misfits Boxing 22: A Different Stage

Why Misfits?

The Misfits Boxing promotion — founded by YouTuber KSI and partner Wasserman Boxing — has become the hub for crossover boxing, pitting influencers, celebrities, and professional fighters against one another. Critics call it “circus boxing.” Supporters say it democratizes the sport and introduces new audiences.

For Ferguson, Misfits provided something he desperately needed:

• A new start, away from the Octagon and UFC matchmaking politics.

• An opponent with a name but not elite-level skills, giving him a chance to regain confidence.

• A platform with massive online reach, ensuring his comeback was highly visible.

The Matchup: Ferguson vs. Salt Papi

Salt Papi wasn’t just a random influencer. With 6 boxing matches and 4 knockouts, he had already defeated several influencer-boxers and earned respect within the Misfits circuit. His slick counterpunching and deceptive speed made him a dangerous opponent, especially for a 40-year-old Ferguson with no prior boxing record.

Many fans worried that Ferguson’s decline in MMA would carry over into boxing, setting him up for embarrassment. But El Cucuy had other plans.

The Fight: Round by Round

Finding the Range

Ferguson entered cautiously. He used a high guard, tested his jab, and avoided Salt Papi’s tricky counter left. The opening minutes suggested a tactical affair, with both fighters feeling each other out.

Turning Up the Pressure

By the second round, Ferguson began showing shades of his old self. He pressed forward, cut the ring, and landed looping right hands. His awkward rhythm — a trademark from MMA — unsettled Salt Papi. Fans could sense momentum shifting.

The Finish

Late in the third, Ferguson cornered Salt Papi and unleashed a barrage. A right hand connected flush, followed by flurries that had Salt Papi shelling up against the ropes. Referee stepped in to halt the fight. Some argued it was a premature stoppage; Salt Papi was upright and responsive. But the momentum was undeniable: Ferguson had snapped his losing streak.

Fan and Media Reactions

Jubilation Among Loyal Fans

For long-time supporters, the win was cathartic. Social media flooded with posts like:

• “Finally! El Cucuy is back in the win column!”

• “Doesn’t matter who he fought. Seeing Tony win again brought tears to my eyes.”

The sense of relief was palpable. Fans who had endured five years of heartbreak felt validated in sticking with their fighter.

Skepticism and Criticism

Not everyone was impressed. Some critics dismissed the victory as hollow:

• “He beat a YouTuber. This doesn’t erase the eight straight UFC losses.”

• “The ref stopped it too early — Salt Papi wasn’t done.”

Analysts noted that while Ferguson looked sharper than expected, his defense still showed vulnerabilities. Against a higher-caliber boxer, he may not have survived.

International Media Coverage

• MMA Fighting highlighted the controversial stoppage, calling it “a win that raises as many questions as it answers.”

• TalkSPORT framed the bout as “Tony Ferguson’s emotional first victory since 2019”, emphasizing the psychological triumph.

• MMAMania pointed out Ferguson’s nerves beforehand, quoting him: “I was super nervous coming in, but I feel no pressure anymore.”

• Times of India stressed the historical note: “Ferguson breaks five-year drought, wins boxing debut.”

The Significance of This Win

Symbolic More Than Competitive

From a sporting perspective, beating Salt Papi won’t earn Ferguson a spot in boxing’s top rankings. But the symbolic weight is immense. It proved to Ferguson and his fans that he is still capable of victory. That alone may rejuvenate his mental state after years of being written off.

Restoring Confidence

Confidence is currency in combat sports. Fighters who lose repeatedly often enter the cage or ring already doubting themselves. Ferguson’s TKO win resets his psychology, giving him momentum and possibly prolonging his combat career — whether in boxing or MMA.

The Broader Impact

• For MMA fans: It shows legends can find new chapters outside the UFC.

• For Misfits Boxing: It legitimizes their platform by attracting real fighters.

• For Ferguson personally: It keeps him in the conversation, rather than fading into obscurity.

What’s Next for Tony Ferguson?

Continue in Misfits Boxing

Ferguson could remain in the Misfits ecosystem, facing influencer-boxers or other ex-MMA fighters. Possible matchups include:

• Dillon Danis, another MMA name crossing into influencer boxing.

• Vitor Belfort, who has competed in crossover bouts.

• A Salt Papi rematch, to settle the debate over the stoppage.

Return to MMA 

Though UFC President Dana White has shown little interest in booking Ferguson again, smaller promotions like Bellator or PFL might entertain the idea. However, returning to MMA’s lightweight division could be dangerous given his recent form.

Retirement on a High Note

Ending his career with a victory — even in crossover boxing — could be the most poetic option. After years of decline, bowing out with a smile may preserve Ferguson’s legacy.

The Fans’ Perspective: A Shared Victory

What made this comeback so special wasn’t just Ferguson’s hand being raised. It was the emotional investment of fans who followed him through glory and despair. The win wasn’t only his; it belonged to everyone who still believed in El Cucuy.

The UFC lightweight division may have moved on — with stars like Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan shaping the future — but Ferguson carved his place in history long ago. His comeback in boxing is less about championships and more about the human spirit refusing to quit.

Conclusion: El Cucuy Lives On

Tony Ferguson’s boxing debut at Misfits Boxing 22 will not be remembered for technical brilliance, nor for high-level competition. Instead, it stands as a testament to resilience, persistence, and the unbreakable will of a fighter who simply refused to accept that his story was over.

Whether Ferguson fights again or chooses to retire, this victory gave fans what they had long craved: one more glimpse of El Cucuy celebrating, smiling, and proving that legends never truly die.