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Tony Ferguson vs Salt Papi: The brutal beating that changed UFC legend's career
Tony Ferguson will switch the Octagon for the boxing ring when he faces TikTok sensation Salt Papi at Misfits 22 tonight.
Ferguson, 41, brought the curtain down on his legendary UFC career last year following a defeat by Michael Chiesa.
It was his eighth straight loss but there was a time when Ferguson was one of the most feared fighters on the planet.
Between 2013 and 2019, Ferguson went on a 12-fight winning streak – a run that saw him capture the interim UFC lightweight title.
He was on the brink of a full title shot when it all went wrong against Justin Gaethje back in May 2020.
Here, we reflect on the night that would change Ferguson’s career forever ahead of his Misfits debut.
Why was Ferguson fighting Gaethje?
Ferguson was originally slated to face lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in April 2020.
The bout had previously been cancelled on no fewer than four occasions due to various setbacks for both men, but it finally looked set to happen.
However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the fight had to be called off once more, and Khabib was then unable to travel to the US to defend his title as a result of travel restrictions at the time.
The UFC opted to push the fight back by a month and brought in Gaethje to replace Khabib for the Florida showdown.
UFC 249 was finalised, with Ferguson taking on Gaethje behind closed doors for the interim title.
(Getty Images)
Gaethje makes fast start
Ferguson was the heavy favourite heading into the fight with Gaethje, who was ranked the number four contender in the lightweight division.
Despite being on a long winning run, it had not all be smooth sailing for Ferguson during this period. He had needed to overcome some difficult moments but had always found a way. He was expected to do the same against Gaethje.
But it was Gaethje who came out with bad intentions from the opening bell. He was loading up with his punches and caught Ferguson with a straight right hand as he went for an inside leg kick.
Gaethje followed up with a right hand-left hook combination later in the round. Ferguson smiled back but the early signs were not promising for the veteran.
Another right hand briefly wobbled Ferguson, before Gaethje connected with two left hooks. It was a statement opening round from the underdog.
Ferguson has his moment of success
Ferguson is known for his unusual style and he tried to knock Gaethje out of his rhythm in the second round by frequently switching from the orthodox to southpaw stance. I didn’t work.
Gaethje simply could not miss him with his right hands over the top and left hooks round the side of Ferguson’s guard.
Ferguson was showing a tremendous chin to stay upright but the punches were taking their toll and Gaethje was already building a lead on the scorecards.
Every punch could be heard inside the empty arena, and Gaethje was dominating the exchanges.
But right on the buzzer, Ferguson landed a huge right uppercut that dropped Gaethje. He quickly scrambled back to his feet and was happy to hear that it was the end of the round.
It was another good one for Gaethje, but the final five seconds offered a reminder that Ferguson was still dangerous.
Gaethje takes complete control
Ferguson was starting to bleed from cuts by both eyes as Gaethje continued to land cleanly with punches to the head.
Despite being hit from pillar to post, Ferguson was continuing to come forward, but he was finally staggered by a huge right hand midway through the third round.
A leg kick briefly tripped Gaethje but it was another one-sided round and Ferguson was now in big trouble.
The fourth followed a similar pattern with Ferguson starting to show visible signs of distress.
Heading into the final round, he knew he needed a finish to extend his winning run.
(Getty Images)
Gaethje finds the finish
Ferguson’s legs were bleeding after having several leg kicks blocked and he looked unsteady on his feet as he looked to turn the contest around.
Gaethje was hitting him with everything but the kitchen sink, yet Ferguson was somehow still standing.
It looked like was somehow going to finish the fight on his feet after taking five rounds of punishment.
But Gaethje sensed that he could rubberstamp his victory inside the distance and pressed forward.
A stiff jab forced Ferguson to stagger backwards, and a follow up shot left the referee with no option but to step in and wave off the contest.
With a little under 90 seconds left on the clock, Ferguson’s horror night was over.
What happened next?
Ferguson proved his toughness against Gaethje but it certainly had a lasting effect.
He returned to the Octagon seven months later and lost a decision against Charles Oliveira.
Another points defeat by Beneil Dariush followed to signal that the writing was on the wall for Ferguson.
His losing streak continued when he was brutally knocked out by a front kick from Michael Chandler in May 2022, and he would suffer four more defeats before leaving the UFC last year.
Ferguson’s MMA record is now 25-11, having been 25-3 prior to facing Gaethje.
Does Ferguson have anything left?
Ferguson has been a tough watch in recent years. Having once possessed one of the finest skillsets in the UFC, he has looked a shadow of his former self ever since losing to Gaethje.
Now, aged 41, he is trying a new sport after signing up for Misfits Boxing.
Salt Papi will be no pushover either. The Filipino-born star has shown he has plenty of talent and has made a name for himself on the Misfits scene thanks to his impressive power.
Ferguson can take a shot, but his punch resistance may be waning after years of taking punishment at the highest level.
Salt Papi will hope that is the case as he looks for an early night. But if Ferguson does have anything left, he may use his experience and fight IQ to get past Salt Papi and record his first win in combat sports since 2019.
Misfits X Series 22 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, tonight, August 30.
