Tony Ferguson Snapping Out of UFC Losing Skid at Misfits Boxing 22 Is Worse Than a Loss

“Everybody that bet against me, I guess they’re kicking their a*s right now.” Almost a forgotten star, Tony Ferguson’s win over Nathaniel ‘Salt Papi’ Bustamante at Misfits Boxing 22 has suddenly thrust him back into the spotlight. The pre-fight odds — a +340 underdog against a -500 favorite — made it clear that almost no one saw this upset coming. Yet, while this victory appears to be redemption on paper, it is actually a setback disguised as achievement.

At 41, coming off an eight-fight losing streak in the UFC and a sad exit from the sport’s highest level, this type of win does not restore his legacy; rather, it prolongs his decline. Instead of providing closure, the victory risks putting him in the same cycle of chasing relevance, even when the evidence suggests his story should already be finished. But why do we say that? Well, here are the three reasons why this victory may have done more harm than good for El Cucuy.

Tony Ferguson is way past his prime

Tony Ferguson‘s greatness was established years ago. The 12-fight winning run, the interim lightweight title, and his reputation as one of the most creative and dangerous fighters of his generation—these are all cemented. He’s right up there with Dustin Poirier as one of the best lightweights to never hold the undisputed belt. But what has unfolded since 2020 is the other side of the coin: a brutal decline that no fighter, no matter how tough, can outrun.

Losses accumulated against Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, Bobby Green, and even Paddy Pimblett. That run of eight consecutive defeats not only ended his UFC career but also established him as a cautionary tale about not knowing when to call it quits. That’s why the Misfits 22’s “win” seems hollow.

‘El Cucuy’ showed flashes of pressure against Salt Papi, but he also looked vulnerable for long stretches. The fact that a TikTok boxer with only a few fights—and who once worked as a nurse during the COVID-19 lockdown—could outland and frustrate a UFC legend says more about Tony Ferguson’s present than his past. Instead of a revival, fans watched a man who had fallen far from his peak, relying on grit and volume rather than sharpness and skill.

His conditioning also raised questions. Ferguson’s trademark during his prime was an endless regimen of cardio and a relentless pace. Against Papi, he dragged through exchanges, looking exhausted, only breaking through when the younger man tired out first. That is hardly a recipe for long-term success, especially in boxing, where trauma to the head is an even bigger threat than in MMA. Nonetheless, with his hand raised, ‘El Cucuy’ can now convince himself that the fire is still burning. A loss might have forced him to face the truth. A win simply delayed that reckoning.

‘El Cucuy’ remains a welcome face in the influencer boxing scene

There’s a cruel irony here: Ferguson no longer needs to be decent to stay relevant. In the influencer boxing space, his name alone piques interest. He is a former UFC interim champion, a future Hall of Famer, and one of MMA’s greatest personalities. Promoters know that fans will tune in, whether to root for him, laugh at the spectacle, or just watch the chaos unfold.

That’s the danger. Wins like Misfits 22 keep him booked. Even if his performance was shaky, it was “good enough” for the level of opponent. Tony Ferguson’s reputation is enough to compete with influencers, YouTubers, and TikTok fighters. He becomes marketable not for what he can accomplish now, but for who he was before.

This extends his shelf life well beyond what it should be. MMA is ruthless: lose too many fights, and the UFC cuts ties. However, influencer boxing is forgiving because it focuses on personalities rather than contenders. ‘El Cucuy’ will always be a welcome presence here, regardless of age, decline, or damage sustained. Every win, no matter how unpleasant, makes him more attractive for future cards. So, instead of a graceful exit, Ferguson is now locked into a loop.

The MMA legend’s desperation to be 2-0

“One win changes everything,” he said before the fight, and well, he finally broke his losing streak. He is now 1-0 in boxing. But now what? The problem is, all Ferguson cared about was getting rid of his losing streak, rather than achieving greatness in his new sport. That mindset reveals the core problem that Ferguson isn’t chasing greatness anymore; he is after validation.

Being 1-0 in boxing is not an accomplishment for a man who formerly dominated the UFC’s most competitive division. It’s a meaningless number, but to him it seems like redemption. Now, the question isn’t whether he should stop fighting, but when he will fight again. He’s already mentioned training camps, long boxing sessions, and a future in the sport, speaking with the zeal of a man eager to gain momentum.

But desperation is not synonymous with inspiration. Fighters who keep going just to prove they can often end up in mismatches, fighting far past their expiration date, accumulating damage while chasing a number that will never satisfy. Going 2-0 in influencer boxing will not help Tony Ferguson’s fighting legacy.

It won’t erase his eight-fight losing streak, the beatings he took, or the times he appeared out of his element against younger contenders. What it will do is feed the delusion that he still has something to prove, even when there is nothing left to prove. That’s the trap he’s in right now: a win that keeps the fire burning when it might be healthier for everyone if it flickered out.