The Wildest Tony Ferguson Moments in and out of the Octagon
Since the moment Tony Ferguson burst on to the scene in the UFC almost a decade ago, the 36-year-old American has been one of the most remarkable personalities in the sport.
From referring to the UFC's biggest superstar Conor McGregor as "McNuggets," to using names of pro wrestling moves in his work as a color commentator while trash-talking future opponent Kevin Lee, and using the Ric Flair "Woo!" to break all the crazy tension he creates in crowds with his other strange antics, Ferguson has truly been one of a kind.
In celebration of El Cucuy's upcoming May 9 matchup against Justin Gaethje at UFC 249, Bleacher Report offers the fighter's wildest moments both inside and outside of the Octagon.
Ferguson Tackles Fellow Contestant Through Table
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In 2011, Ferguson won season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter by defeating Ramsey Nijem in the finale, but the upstart first made waves on the program after winning his semi-final matchup.
Ferguson celebrated that win over Chuck O'Neal a little too wildly by tackling fellow contestant Charlie Rader through a table. Then Ferguson proceeded to verbally berate Rader about the fighter not having custody of his own son.
Ferguson eventually expressed regret about dragging Rader's son into things. Still, in the end, the world had just witnessed its first glimpse of the Boogeyman persona that lives inside Ferguson's head and is the bane of all the fighter's opposition.
Ferguson Breaks Forearm Midway Through Loss but Finishes Fight
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Ferguson's only loss in the UFC was a three-round decision setback to Michael Johnson in 2012. What's wild about that fight in retrospect is that Ferguson actually broke his forearm about midway through the action when he attempted to block a kick. Ferguson kept fighting anyway.
Losing to Johnson at that time wasn't out of place. Ferguson was still growing and learning as an MMA fighter, and Johnson was no slouch. But Ferguson's toughness was on full display in the fight, as well as the fighter's resilience after the fact.
Not only did he ultimately endure his long rehabilitation from that arm injury, but Ferguson also set about changing his entire approach to training. He switched gyms and honed his game to a more optimal level, and he hasn't lost in the UFC since.
Lightweight Ferguson Tells Heavyweight Werdum to Pipe Down During Interview
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Does Ferguson not understand how weight classes work?
Because that's how it seemed when lightweight Ferguson told heavyweight Fabricio Werdum to pipe down during a video chat with MMA Fighting two years ago. That altercation took place while the two were interacting separately with reporters during a media lunch for UFC 216.
"Hold on, I'm talking, brother," Ferguson said to Werdum with his hand raised toward the big Brazilian.
That obviously didn't sit well with the heavyweight. In fact, it only escalated from that point and ended up being a war of words and slurs in several different languages until the two men were finally separated by UFC staff.
Ferguson Chokes out Kevin Lee for UFC Interim Title
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Perhaps the biggest win to date for Ferguson was when he choked out Kevin Lee in the main event of UFC 216 in 2017 for the interim lightweight title.
After the contentious promotional buildup that included both fighters blasting each other over the weeks leading up to the fight, Lee went right after Ferguson to start things but found out the hard way that putting El Cucuy down was no easy task.
Ferguson eventually broke down his opponent via relentless pressure and constant aggression. Beating Lee was Ferguson's 10th consecutive win, one in which he finally captured UFC gold via triangle choke in the third round.
Ferguson has enjoyed one of the wildest rides in all the UFC, but beating Lee at UFC 216 is the highlight of his fighting career so far.
Ferguson Blasts Anthony Pettis in Bloodbath Months After Major Knee Injury
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Ferguson's bloodbath victory over Anthony Pettis at UFC 229 in 2018 was the Fight of the Night.
Amazingly, Ferguson won it via stoppage just six months after tearing ligaments in his left knee. Sure, the doctors had told the fighter he'd be out up to a full year after such an injury, but Ferguson simply threw those opinions out the window and took over his own rehabilitation duties.
Once fight day arrived, Ferguson showed he knew better than doctors. He also showed incredible heart in winning a tremendous battle.
For good measure, and maybe just to show off, Ferguson even managed to throw in a forward roll escape move during the throwdown after getting tagged by Pettis during the fight.
Wild Moments Everywhere
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These were just some of Ferguson's wild moments. He's also been known to breakdance on stages, carry a baseball around with him for what seems like no particular reason, and a whole host of other oddities that seemingly have no answer.
His quirky and inventive workout routines are also legendary. He kicks steel pipes, lifts weights in a way no other human has ever tried, and sometimes even suplexes this box thing across the gym floor a few times for good measure.
On top of all that, Ferguson is one heck of a fighter.
"I will haunt your dreams."
That's something Ferguson has said over and over again in reference to his El Cucuy persona.
But unless you're the one standing across the Octagon from him on fight night, it's probably in a good way.
Because combat sports is quite the topsy-turvy world of unique and amazing personalities, but no one on the planet is quite like Ferguson.
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