Tony Ferguson (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Despite pleas from UFC President Dana White and others, future Hall of Famer and former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson isn’t retiring. The recently released veteran, on an epic eight-fight losing streak, has a return date and an opponent.
Ferguson, 41, who is now signed with the Global Fight League, will face former Bellator competitor Dillon Danis on May 11 in Los Angeles. Ferguson confirmed the date and opponent when he appeared as a guest on The Ariel Helwani Show on Monday, March 3.
Ferguson hasn’t looked formidable for a while. However, he has faced some fairly elite fighters during his losing streak. The defeats began to pile up in May 2020, when he lost to Justin Gaethje by fifth-round KO.
Later that year, Ferguson lost a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira. In May 2021, Ferguson dropped another unanimous decision to Beneil Dariush. The following year, things got a bit brutal as the stoppages began—and some of them were devastating.
In May 2022, Michael Chandler knocked Ferguson out with the front kick from hell.
PHOENIX, AZ – MAY 7: (R-L) Michael Chandler knocks out Tony Ferguson with a front kick in their … [+]
In September 2022, Ferguson was submitted by Nate Diaz. In July 2023, he was submitted by Bobby “King” Green, followed by a unanimous decision defeat to Paddy Pimblett in December 2023 and another submission loss to Michael Chiesa in August 2024 in El Cucuy’s UFC finale.
No fighter in UFC history has had a longer losing streak. Ferguson’s loss to Chiesa broke another legend, BJ Penn’s, record for consecutive futility.
Danis has been a fighter tough to take seriously as a combat sports athlete. The former Conor McGregor training partner owns a 2-0 record in MMA.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 12: Dillon Danis takes to the stage during a KSI v Tommy Fury – Prime … [+]
He’s known for his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prowess, but he has been able to parlay the fame he garnered during his connection with McGregor into crossover opportunities—like the boxing match he has on March 29 against KSI.
While Ferguson proved to be past his prime in the UFC, it might not be crazy to suggest he could be more competitive against an inexperienced and less-accomplished fighter like Danis.
Ferguson’s hardcore fans will be hoping they get an opportunity to see their favorite fighter get his hand raised in victory again. On the flip side, it would suck to see him lose again—especially to a fighter who hasn’t dedicated as much to the sport as Ferguson has throughout his career.
It appears the May event will be the GFL’s first show. The venue hasn’t been revealed, but when you take a look at the calendar, the date isn’t a bad one for the new promotion.
It’s a Sunday, the day after UFC 315, so there won’t be much combat sports competition. From a sports standpoint, there could be a clash with Sunday Night Baseball and NBA Playoff action.
In any case, I’d be surprised if something from the GFL isn’t trending on multiple social media platforms. Will the attention last to the second event? That remains to be seen. As a combat sports journalist, I’d love to see it work, but I’d be lying if I said I had high hopes.
I’d love to be wrong about the GFL and Ferguson’s chances of winning.
