Tony Ferguson, the former UFC interim lightweight champion, isn’t ready to call it quits just yet. Despite a challenging period in his career, Ferguson has teased a return to action in 2025 after enduring a tough stretch of losses. His most recent fight, a submission loss to Michael Chiesa at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi this past August, marked his eighth consecutive defeat in the octagon. However, it seems that Ferguson is determined to fight on, even at 40 years old.
In a recent Instagram post, Ferguson shared his mindset, saying, “Completely destroyed myself to reinvent it. As an artist, I aim to show something you’ve never seen before. Happy New Year crew. 2025 in my sights. Stay tuned and watch the magic unfold. New missions acknowledged. Fight news coming soon.” These cryptic words hint at a possible return to the cage, with fans eager to see what the veteran has planned next.
While Ferguson’s future with the UFC remains unclear following his loss to Chiesa, he has not ruled out a return to action. Initially, Ferguson had contemplated retirement but soon reaffirmed his commitment to continue fighting. In an interview from October, Ferguson made it clear that he was far from retiring, saying, “F*ck no I’m not retiring. I’m too old to retire. I’m 40 years old. I’m halfway to 80, I’ve been competing since I was five years old in multiple sports. I wrestled in college, I’ve done all the other stuff, and you know what? It’s not like I don’t know anything else. I do. I’m still able to compete.”
Despite his age, Ferguson is adamant that he can still compete at a high level. His focus has shifted toward finding the right coaching and training environment that will enable him to perform better in his fights. “What I really need is to find that coaching, that discipline around other people, being uncomfortable in practice so that way you’re not miserable in the fight… That’s where we’re at right now.”
Once considered one of the top two lightweights in the sport alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ferguson’s career had a high point where he was set to face off against Khabib multiple times. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented those matchups from ever materializing. Nurmagomedov eventually retired, but Ferguson continued to compete at the highest level, facing elite fighters such as Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Michael Chandler.
Although the UFC might not be a viable option moving forward, Ferguson has several opportunities in other promotions. The Professional Fighters League (PFL), Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), and even the upstart Global Fight League (GFL), which is planning to launch a team-based MMA promotion in 2025, could be potential destinations for Ferguson. GFL has been signing veteran fighters, which could open the door for Ferguson to make a fresh start.
With a 25-11 record, Ferguson’s journey in the sport has been marked by both highs and lows. However, he remains focused on proving that he still has the skill and determination to be a top contender. Fans are eagerly awaiting any official announcements regarding his next move, with Ferguson hinting at an exciting return in 2025.
Whether Ferguson will find success in his next chapter or continue to struggle remains to be seen. One thing is certain: he’s not going down without a fight.
