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Tony Ferguson vs Salt Papi Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter
After a storied, but also rocky mixed martial arts career, Tony Ferguson will try his hands at boxing against one of Misfits’ breakout starts.
Ferguson clashes with Nathaniel ‘Salt Papi’ Bustamante at Misfits 22 - Ring of Thrones at AO Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom, and live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, tonight.
Having once built a 12-fight win streak in the UFC, Ferguson suffered through an eight-fight skid culminating with a first-round submission loss to Michael Chiesa in August 2024. He will go against Salt Papi who is trending in the opposite direction with two straight victories including an electric TKO of King Kenny last November.
Will Ferguson be successful in his pro boxing debut? Or will Salt Papi produce another highlight reel win at his expense? As the intrigue builds, DAZN News examines each fighter’s Keys to Victory heading into their bout.
Tony Ferguson’s Keys to Victory
Show a disciplined guard, keep chin tucked
Over the course of his rough losing streak in the UFC, Ferguson showed a penchant for having his guard, or lack thereof, by his chest level with his chin high in the air.
He paid the price for this severely as a target with the hands and therefore it is crucial that Ferguson utilizes a higher, more disciplined guard and keeps his chin tucked.
The former UFC star fails to do either in his boxing debut and Salt Papi will likely press his button toward disastrous results for Ferguson.
Look to unleash the counter right
Considering how active Salt Papi is with his left hand, Ferguson should have plenty of opportunities to counter his attempted crosses, hooks and uppercuts.
It is up to Ferguson to anticipate, move and respond in real time with sharp counter rights that command Papi’s attention and swipes rounds in the process.
Be active with a high volume
Salt Papi has shown that he is an active, busy fighter and Ferguson might be forced to raise his own punching volume to contend in the ring.
If anything, this higher pace of output could be a deciding factor for swaying judges in his favor.
Salt Papi’s Keys to Victory
Be light on the feet
Salt Papi is very much a rhythm fighter who enjoys being light on his feet with a bounce in his step.
That movement paired against Tony Ferguson’s rather methodical, stalking stance could help Salt Papi get to his spots and unleash his punch placement toward stinging results.
Unload the left hand
Whether it comes as a straight left, a hook or slicing uppercut, Salt Papi packs plenty of pop to his left hand.
Just ask King Kenny who felt every bit of the left hook that raked across his face and knocked him out on his feet during their November encounter.
If Salt Papi catches Ferguson slipping with his stance and poor guard, it could very well be lights out courtesy of the former’s big left hand.
Do not get too erratic
At 41 years old and fresh off losing eight straight fights, Ferguson has definitely taken a beating during this twilight of his fighting career.
Yet he still possesses plenty of veteran savvy and therefore it is imperative for Salt Papi to not get too erratic with his shots because if he swings wildly and misses, Ferguson could very well capitalize with a well-timed counterpunch.
If Salt Papi is going to give fans one of his viral dances at the end of this bout, he cannot let this happen.
Watch Misfits 22 - Ring of Thrones with DAZN PPV
Watch Darren Till versus Luke Rockhold and Tony Ferguson against Salt Papi, plus Dillon Danis, Joey Essex and more fight Saturday, August 31 only on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
