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Tony Ferguson vs Salt Papi: Ranking the TikTok sensation's most brutal knockouts
Salt Papi is one of Misfits’ most promising and talented fighters. He returns this weekend to fight UFC legend Tony Ferguson in Manchester on the undercard of Darren Till vs Luke Rockhold.
The Filipino-born star has over 6 million followers across Instagram and TikTok and rose to fame by posting comedy skits whilst working as a nurse during the Covid-19 lockdown.
He was given the opportunity to box on Misfits in 2022 and capitalised on this by posting about his body transformation and journey in boxing which allowed him to pursue the sport full time.
His natural aptitude for pugilism has seen him become one of the biggest stars on the Misfits roster, and he has produced some of the most devastating performances ever seen on the promotion.
So, in honour of his sensational rise and now taking on the biggest test of his career, here is a ranking of his best-ever knockouts.
4. Dawood Savage
Whilst this fight was technically billed as an exhibition, Salt Papi made no mistake in dispatching his opposition on the Social Knockout 3 card in 2024.
Dawood Savage, another comedy influencer, came into the fight with no experience against a fighter of Salt Papi’s knockout calibre, which brings into question the matchmaking.
The fight was something of a farce as Savage seemed to pull almost all of his punches whilst running away from the trundling Papi, who was toying with his opponent before landing two innocuous body shots that dropped his opponent and shortly dropped him again with a pair of digging left hooks.
The fight was ended by the same shot that had dropped Savage twice already, and brought to an end a questionable fight against an opponent who was much smaller and even more inexperienced, hence it takes last place on the list.
3. Andy Warski
After making a winning start to his career as a boxer, beating Halal Ham via decision, Salt Papi returned five months later to take on YouTuber and movie producer Andy Warski on the undercard of KSI vs Swarms and Luis Pineda.
Warski was not even given the chance to land a punch as he retreated immediately, standing completely square to Papi, biting on every feint. After 15 seconds, the Filipino unloaded a four-shot combination on the Canadian, who was almost knocked from the ring.
This is the second-fastest knockout in Misfits history and announced Salt Papi as the next big thing on their roster.
However, the amount of resistance displayed does detract from the quality of the knockout.
2. Josh Brueckner
In his third fight, and what was on paper his biggest test, Salt Papi took on the hulking figure of fitness influencer Josh Bruekner, who boasted a five-inch height advantage and a six-inch reach advantage.
The first round saw Salt Papi spend the majority of the time goading and taunting his opponent - showing the occasional flash of attacking intent.
It was clear that the Filipino was setting up big counter shots on Breuckner, who, despite his impressive physique, was not a polished boxer.
The American lunged into range, throwing lazy straight shots and halfway through the second round, Salt Papi detonated a counter left hand on the back foot that flattened Breuckner instantly.
This knockout marked Salt Papi for a big step up in opposition, as he had proved that he cannot be matched with someone who is lacking in experience. Even though the fight with Brueckner was supposed to be the step up he was looking for – he made it look easy once again.
1. King Kenny
Salt Papi’s most impressive and brutal knockout came in his last fight at the end of 2024, against popular UK YouTuber King Kenny on Misfits X Series 19.
They were touted as two of the most technically gifted fighters on the roster, and they delivered a memorable fight. The initial exchanges were spiteful, with both men looking for a statement knockout.
Kenny initially used his length well and had an obvious strength advantage over the Filipino, which allowed him to dominate the grappling exchanges, even throwing Papi to the ground in the second round.
Salt Papi made an impressive adjustment on the fly, looking to counter off the back foot, capitalising on Kenny crowding his work and stepping too close to look for the knockout instead of boxing at range.
In the third round, off the back foot, Papi lured Kenny into range and landed a sweeping left hook that looked as though it was meant for the body, but in an attempt to roll the head shot, Kenny ducked into it and found himself slumped into the corner.
The Filipino influencer boxing sensation scored the biggest win of his Misfits career in devastating fashion.
Misfits X Series 22 and Tony Ferguson vs. Salt Papi on Saturday only on DAZN PPV
Watch Darren Till vs. Luke Rockhold, Tony Ferguson vs Salt Papi and Dillon Danis, Joey Essex and more fight only on DAZN PPV this Saturday night, August 31.
