Arguably the toughest test of Tony Ferguson’s 12-fight UFC winning streak came just three matchups in.
On this day, August 30, in 2014, the UFC 177 pay-per-view took place at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California.
The main event saw a short-notice title fight, as Octagon newcomer Joe Soto fought valiantly against TJ Dillashaw after being called up to the main event the day before when Renan Barao was hospitalized during his weight cut.
On a main card that included four finishes, the only contest to go the distance was Ferguson’s co-main event against Danny Castillo. The bout came as the third on the fan-favorite lightweight’s historic winning run, and it was the closest he came to losing.
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The decision to elevate their matchup to co-headline status drew criticism, but Ferguson and Castillo put on an entertaining three-round scrap. While ‘El Cucuy’ was 15-3 at the time, ‘Last Call’ entered with a 17-6 record in MMA.
Ferguson, who won The Ultimate Fighter 13 three years earlier, enjoyed a strong first round but was controlled on the ground for much of the final frame. That made the second round key in the eyes of the judges, and two leaned the way of the then-future interim UFC lightweight champion.
The split decision verdict irked the Sacramento crowd and Castillo, who was frustrated by Ferguson’s defensive approach on the ground late on, which he said would not have been possible if their fight took place in much different surroundings.
“I don’t think he landed any punches, I punched him up with my boxing,” Castillo said during his post-fight interview.
“We went to the ground and he wasn’t doing anything, what can I do? I controlled a grown man and he couldn’t do anything.
“If we were in jail, he’d be in trouble,” Castillo added.
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Tony Ferguson will make his pro boxing debut exactly 11 years later
Castillo went on to lose his next three fights inside the Octagon and was released in 2016. The 45-year-old has not competed since.
Ferguson, meanwhile, won a further nine fights consecutively to tie Khabib Nurmagomedov for the second-longest winning streak in UFC lightweight history. But since Ferguson’s TKO win over Donald Cerrone to earn a title shot, the veteran fighter has experienced nothing but defeat.
His UFC tenure was brought to an end last year after a submission setback against Michael Chiesa sent Ferguson to a record eight-fight losing skid.
In his first bout outside of the Octagon, Ferguson will debut in pro boxing against TikTok star Salt Papi. Their matchup co-headlines Saturday’s Misfits Boxing 22 card at the AO Arena in Manchester.