Tony Ferguson
Active 2011–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 91.0
Scouting report
A 12-fight winning streak and an Interim UFC Lightweight Championship established Tony "El Cucuy" Ferguson as a top lightweight threat. Hailing from Oxnard, California, Ferguson broke contenders with unorthodox D'Arce chokes, elbows, and forward pressure, his style fueled by a 98 Cardio, 92 BJJ, and 91 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Ferguson built momentum through 2014 and 2015, knocking out Katsunori Kikuno, outpointing Danny Castillo, submitting Abel Trujillo and Gleison Tibau, outpointing Josh Thomson and then submitting Edson Barboza with a brabo choke at the TUF 22 Finale in Las Vegas. His pressure, D'Arce choke threats, awkward striking angles, and gas tank are reflected in an 84 Boxing and 95 Cardio.
Ferguson surviving a scare to submit Lando Vannata with a brabo choke in Sioux Falls, outworking Rafael dos Anjos over five rounds in Mexico City, and submitting Kevin Lee with a triangle choke at UFC 216 in Las Vegas to capture the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship. His unpredictable striking, elbows, and pace are reflected in an 86 Boxing and 97 Cardio.
In 2018 and 2019 Ferguson stopped former champion Anthony Pettis via second-round corner stoppage TKO at UFC 229 in Las Vegas, followed by a doctor-stoppage TKO of Donald Cerrone at UFC 238 in Chicago. His slicing elbows, cardio pace, and durability are reflected in an 88 Boxing and 98 Cardio.
In May 2020 at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Ferguson's 12-fight win streak was halted in a fifth-round TKO loss to Justin Gaethje for the interim title, followed by decision losses to Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush. His toughness and high-tempo output are preserved in an 82 Boxing and 90 Cardio ratings.
Tony Ferguson and the chaos he brings to a lineup
Tony Ferguson won The Ultimate Fighter 13 and later ran off a long winning streak that ended in an interim lightweight title. His fights looked unhinged: elbows from odd angles, submission attempts from the bottom, a pace that made opponents look tired before he did. If you want a fighter nobody enjoys preparing for, he is the pick.
Ferguson attribute by attribute
Boxing. Awkward and volume-based. He throws from weird angles and keeps the guard low, and it works because he keeps moving.
Kickboxing. Good. Front kicks and quick kick combinations from a variety of stances, aimed to keep opponents off balance.
Wrestling. Above average. He got by on scrambling and a wrestler's persistence.
BJJ. Excellent. He is a threat with guillotines and triangles, and his grappling helped him finish fights from bad positions.
Strength. Decent for the division. He does not overpower people but doesn't lose grip battles either.
Durability. Iron-tough in his prime. He took a lot of hard shots and kept coming forward.
Cardio. The signature. He pushed a relentless pace and got stronger as rounds went on.
Fight IQ. Improvisational, which is a strength and a weakness. He'll read an opening, but his own wildness can put him in trouble.
What makes him worth a pick: Cardio
Cardio stands out at the top of the rating sheet. Ferguson at his best was a fighter who did more in round three than most people did in round one. If you need a lineup member who can wear down anyone in five rounds, this is the number you are drafting.
The mismatch to plan around: Strength
Strength is the low mark. He was never a strongman at 155, and heavier wrestlers could take advantage in the clinch. Pair him with a heavy-handed or high-strength fighter and the lineup covers the hole.
Keep exploring
Closest lightweight profiles to Tony Ferguson, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Rafael dos Anjosbest cardio 94 · weakest strength 84
- Benson Hendersonbest cardio 96 · weakest strength 84
- Renato Moicanobest bjj 92 · weakest strength 80
- Dustin Poirierbest boxing 94 · weakest wrestling 78
- Lightweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Protecting your streak: a guide that fits Tony Ferguson's strongest attribute, Cardio.
Draft Tony Ferguson into your build
Tony Ferguson enters the pool on any spin landing on lightweight between 2014 and 2022. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Tony Ferguson is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Tony Ferguson's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.