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Tony Ferguson vs Salt Papi: Who has the edge heading into their fight?
Nathaniel ‘Salt Papi’ Bustamante has been a breakout star and growing fan favorite for the Misfits Boxing banner.
He will face his sternest test yet Saturday when he clashes with former UFC star Tony Ferguson at Misfits 22 - Ring of Thrones at AO Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom, and live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
Salt Papi is coming off an electric, raucous TKO of Kenny Ojuederie in November and will be looking for his third straight victory. Meanwhile, Ferguson makes his boxing debut after losing eight consecutive MMA bouts in the UFC, having last suffered a first-round submission loss to Michael Chiesa in August 2024.
With the intrigue high for this one, DAZN News analyzes who has the edge heading into their fight.
Boxing Styles
Along with his wrestling, Tony Ferguson has always prided himself in his hands during his MMA career.
As he has gotten older, Ferguson, 41, has shown a patient, stalking and methodical approach to striking in the Octagon, though that could change inside the ring where he will be making his boxing debut.
In searching for an opening to land a right or counter right, Ferguson sometimes neglects to tuck his chin which could be problematic against Salt Papi who boxes with a bounce in his step and is in possession of a big left hook.
Ferguson’s creativity makes this category a closely-contested one but the youth and exuberance of a 31-year-old surging Salt Papi gets him the slightest nod on the recent eye test here.
Edge: Salt Papi
Power
Salt Papi has some real pop to his punch.
‘King' Kenny Ojuederie found that out firsthand in November when a scintillating left hook raked across his face and knocked him out on his feet.
It is not to say that Ferguson does not having punching power, because he stung plenty of MMA opponents with his hands.
But if Papi, who is nimble on his feet, catches a slower Ferguson flush, we could be getting the latest viral dance celebration in the center of the ring.
Edge: Salt Papi
Mental Warfare
Both men have not been shy about predicting a knockout.
This is, however, a giant step up in competition for Salt Papi as Ferguson is a tried and true fighter who has always been renowned and powered by his training.
Granted this will mark his first pro boxing bout, but there is no doubting the fighting experience that ‘El Cucuy’ has.
With that experience comes savvy and guile which a cerebral Ferguson is overflowing with and Salt Papi will have to overcome.
Edge: Ferguson
Who has the edge in Ferguson vs Salt Papi?
Weight loss and diligent gym work has turned Salt Papi into a new boxer and man.
He has a spring in his step when he boxes and some legitimate skills.
Though Ferguson might have the fighting experience edge, he is stepping into a pro boxing ring for the first time whereas Salt Papi has the benefit of recent boxing activity with two splashy wins last year.
The boxing world is not a stranger of MMA fighters jumping into the ring only to get blasted by a celebrity boxer who has been taking the sweet science seriously.
Salt Papi could make Ferguson the latest victim of that trend.
We have Salt Papi with the 2-1 edge here. He has already set his sights on a future fight with Adrien Broner but cannot get there without defeating Ferguson first, giving him his greatest test and motivation yet.
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.
