GFL founder Darren Owen already has a potential matchup in mind for Tony Ferguson on his GFL debut.
It was announced on Tuesday afternoon that Ferguson had departed the UFC following his eight-fight losing run.
Retirement seemed on the horizon for the 40-year-old with the UFC unwilling to renew his contract and a presumed lack of interest from other promotions.
However, that speculation was quickly shut down after GFL signed ‘El Cucuy’ to their newly established roster earlier this month.
Ferguson is just one of many former UFC fighters to join the promotion with the likes of Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold and Alexander Gustafsson all recently signing deals with the promotion.
Tony Ferguson earmarked for GFL debut against Dillon Danis
Ferguson last competed in August 2024 and has been tipped to make a return to the sport following Owen’s discussion of a potential matchup between him and Conor McGregor’s former training partner Dillon Danis, on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“Faber and Barao, they want to run that back. They both want to do it. Weidman was talking earlier today about Luke Rockhold, we think that fight is great.
“The nice thing is they don’t have the ability to decline, so we can make the fights that people want to see and we’re listening to everybody.
“Tony Ferguson (versus) Dillion Danis that may be something that will come to fruition so, we’re down to make the fights.”
Danis hasn’t competed inside of an octagon since 2019 when he submitted Max Humphrey at Bellator 229 and extended his professional record to 2-0.
However, he was last seen in a combat setting in 2023 where he suffered a disqualification loss to Logan Paul for refusing to fight and attempting takedowns in their exhibition boxing match.
Ferguson competed right up until 2024 in the UFC but last recorded a victory in 2019 with a second-round stoppage of Donald Cerrone at UFC 238 – capping off a devastating seven-year unbeaten run in the sports premier promotion.
Will Tony Ferguson find success in the GFL?
After Ferguson left his gloves in the middle of the octagon following his loss to Michael Chiesa, fans alike were relieved to see one of the sport’s most violent competitors call time on his career.
Whilst Danis’ inactivity within the sport and Ferguson’s durability will have a massive influence on the competitiveness of their speculated contest, this only emphasises the entire feeling of a return to competition for the California native being unnecessary.
GFL are yet to announce their debut event following the inaugural draft so nothing is set in stone regarding Ferguson’s return date as of yet.