Former interim UFC lightweight titleholder Tony Ferguson’s first post-UFC MMA fight is set.
Despite calls to retire from MMA after an eight-fight losing streak, Tony Ferguson will return to the cage in a new promotion against one of combat sports’ most polarizing personalities.
The 41-year-old Ferguson teased a return to MMA on New Year’s Day, against the wishes of many fans on social media. After his most recent defeat to Michael Chiesa at UFC Saudi Arabia in August, Ferguson left his gloves in the Octagon and appeared on his way out of the promotion.
UFC CEO Dana White repeatedly pleaded with Ferguson to retire during his ongoing losing streak. After parting ways with the UFC, Ferguson will not obey those orders and isn’t done yet in his fighting career.
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Tony Ferguson is set for his first non-UFC MMA fight since 2010
The Global Fight League (GFL) announced Ferguson’s MMA return for a to-be-determined date and location against former Bellator standout Dillon Danis. The lightweight clash was teased in recent weeks after Danis pitched the matchup on his social media accounts.
Danis, a former sparring partner of Conor McGregor, will also make his MMA return simultaneous to his upcoming boxing comeback. Danis is scheduled to face KSI in a boxing match at Misfits Boxing / X Series 21 on March 29th in Manchester.
Ferguson vs. Danis adds to a growing list of intriguing matchups the GFL has announced in recent weeks. Former UFC middleweight champions Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold will run back their UFC 194 title fight at a to-be-announced GFL event.
Tony Ferguson books fighting comeback against the behest of UFC fans
This will be Danis’s first MMA appearance since a win over Max Humphrey at Bellator 222 in 2019. Danis is 2-0 in his MMA career with wins in Bellator over Humphrey and Kyle Walker.
After a long absence in Bellator, Danis parted ways with the promotion ahead of his boxing match with Logan Paul in 2023. He lost to Paul by disqualification after attempting to put Paul in a chokehold during their boxing fight.
Ferguson is searching for his first MMA victory since a doctor’s stoppage win over Donald Cerrone at UFC 238. The win over Cerrone capped off a 12-fight winning streak, including wins over Rafael dos Anjos and Kevin Lee.
The GFL is expected to announce more high-profile matchups for its event slate in the coming weeks.