Tony Ferguson has brushed off concerns for his health ahead of Misfits 22.
The former interim lightweight UFC champion will make his boxing debut in Manchester, England, on Saturday night.
‘El Cucuy’ will square off against influencer boxer Salt Papi in the co-main event of a show headlined by Darren Till vs. Luke Rockhold.
The 41-year-old is hoping to snap the historic eight-fight losing streak that ended his UFC career, but some fans are concerned he could get seriously hurt during KSI‘s latest combat sports event.
Photo by James Fearn/Getty ImagesTony Ferguson dismisses health concerns
Tony Ferguson insists he’s feeling ‘f—ing phenomenal’ ahead of his fight with Salt Papi.
The lightweight legend responded bluntly when a recent MMA Junkie interview turned to fans expressing concern for his safety.
“No,” Ferguson said when asked if he’s concerned for his health after eight losses in a row.
He added: “It was the hardest four to five years I’ve ever had, which f—ing sucked. I never smiled. It was terrible. But you guys never saw that, and I’m glad you guys never saw that because my family never saw that.
“You guys will never see me injured. You guys will never see me hurt. I’ll never show it, and I’ll never put it on my face because you guys will just never f—ing know. That’s the magic part of me.”
“Sometimes I need resets, and it takes a hard knock like that for me to be able to be reset, and here we are, we’re boxing.
“I’ve been listening to my coaches, and I have my training partners show up, then making sure we’re getting our rounds in, making sure I’m doing my extra credit, making sure I’m not over-doing things. Making sure that I’m showing up. When that goes into it, I don’t have to say I’m sharp. I don’t have to do that.
“I feel good, man. I feel excellent. I probably should be feeling miserable like half of these other motherf—ers, but I’m not. I’m 41, halfway to 82, feel f—ing phenomenal, and this week, I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna get this finish.”
Tony Ferguson’s losing streak
Tony Ferguson won 12 fights in a row to set a lightweight record between 2013 and 2019.
Justin Gaethje ended his winning streak when they clashed for an interim 155lb title in May 2020.
‘The Highlight’ battered him for five rounds before forcing a TKO finish with 81 seconds left on the clock.
Back-to-back decision defeats against Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush followed for Ferguson.
Things went from bad to worse when Michael Chandler faceplant KO’d him with a front kick in May 2022.
A drop down in level followed, but it didn’t help him as he lost to Bobby ‘King’ Green and Paddy Pimblett.
Ferguson’s iconic UFC run ended with a rear-naked choke defeat to Michael Chiesa in August 2024.