“El Cucy” is a winner once again.
For the first time since 2019, Tony Ferguson finds himself in the win column – this time in the world of exhibition boxing. At Saturday’s Misfits Boxing 22, Ferguson finished social media influencer “Salt Papi” with punches for a stoppage at 2:43 of Round 3. The event took place at AO Arena in Manchester, England.
Despite being a heavy underdog, Ferguson found a home for a flurry of furious fists midway through Round 3. While Salt Papi remained upright, he was unable to escape the attack and the referee intervened.
After the fight, Ferguson faced off with Dillon Danis, who won his MMA return in 15 seconds earlier on the card.
Ferguson, 41, departed the UFC in 2024 after eight-straight losses. He was scheduled to fight for GFL, the now-defunct MMA promotion that folded prior to its first event.
Salt Papi, whose real name is Nathaniel Bustamante, falls to 6-3 in exhibition boxing. He entered Saturday’s fight on a three-fight winning streak.
Up-to-the-minute Misfits Boxing 22 results include:
- Tony Ferguson def. Salt Papi via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 2:43 – for interim Misfits middleweight title
- Dillon Danis def. Warren Spencer via submission (mounted guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:15 – for Misfits MMA title
- Joey Essex def. João Barbosa via majority decision
- Ty Mitchell def. Sean Hemphill via unanimous decision – for Misfits super middleweight title
- Chase DeMoor def. Natan Marcon via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 2, 0:52 – for Misfits heavyweight title
- Rahim Pardesi def. Amadeusz Ferrari via TKO (body shot) – Round 4, 1:05
- Amir Anderson def. Vitor Siqueira via TKO (punches) – Round 5, 0:55
- Carla Jade def. Daryn Harris via unanimous decision – Misfits lightweight title
- Demi Sims def. Nadeshi Hopkin via unanimous decision
- Jahad Ingram def. Banty Singh via TKO (body shot) – Round 2, 1:19