Let’s dive into the wild ride that unfolded in Manchester—Tony Ferguson, the gritty UFC vet known as “El Cucuy,” finally got his hand raised again. On August 30, 2025, at Misfits 22: Ring of Thrones in the AO Arena, he faced off against TikTok boxer Salt Papi in his first-ever professional boxing match—and stopped him in the third round via TKO. The win marks his first victory in combat sports since June 2019—ending a brutal eight-fight skid.

Watching that fight was something else. Salt Papi started strong, landing crisp shots in Rounds 1 and 2, looking sharp and confident. But by Round 3, Ferguson’s pressure game turned the tide—he tripped off combos, cornered his opponent, and forced the ref to wave it off around the 2:43 mark of the round.

As the ref called it, the crowd erupted into cheers—relief, celebration, and genuine joy. Ferguson, now 41, has a new title: Misfits Boxing interim middleweight champion.

After the fight, Ferguson looked relieved and emotional. He said, “One win changes everything,” thanking the Manchester fans and talking about how meaningful it was to silence the critics and finally end his winless run.

But hey—every story needs a twist. Some officials watching from ringside actually thought the stoppage came early. Referee Jack Goodwin (who wasn’t even the one to call it off) admitted that a few of them thought the fight could’ve continued.

Here’s a more laid-back breakdown, perfect for your Tumblr feed:

A Night That Felt Like Legacy

Anyone who’s followed Tony’s rise, from being The Ultimate Fighter champ to an interim UFC lightweight title-holder, knows how epic his journey has been. But since June 2019—when he beat Donald Cerrone at UFC 238—night in and night out, “El Cucuy” hit a rough patch. Eight straight losses later, fans wondered if the legend was fading.

Enter Misfits Boxing—a promotion by KSI and crew that flips the script with crossover bouts and influencer matchups. Ferguson’s debut in this world was one of the biggest moments of the event.

Man, That Comeback Energy

Watching him walk Salt Papi down was something else. The crowd leaned in during every jab and hook he threw. Then third round hits, and suddenly it’s like he’s turned into the fighter we all remember—pressuring, accurate, dominant. Salt Papi didn’t go down cold, but the ref was like, “Alright, that’s enough.” Pure thriller vibes.

Heartfelt Shoutouts & Future Hints

Ferguson's post-fight moment was full of gratitude and relief. “One win changes everything” became a mantra that night. He made sure to soak in the love from the fans and seemed to hint that more is to come—maybe in MMA, maybe more boxing.

Is It Perfect? Maybe Not.

Ref Jack Goodwin spilled that some officials thought the fight ended too early. Even though the moment made headlines for all the right reasons, drama simmered underneath.

What It All Means

Tony’s drought is officially over—that’s massive mental and emotional fuel.

He’s now holding a Misfits belt and the momentum that comes with validation.

That stoppage debate? It’s part of the story, adding tease and discussion for the fandom.

If he wants to keep going—boxing or MMA—this night proves he still has fight in him.

So yeah, picture it: a packed arena, El Cucuy in his corner, Salt Papi buzzing early, then Tony digs deep, finds his groove, and lights up the third round. Fans losing their minds, commentators screaming, and Tony smiling afterward like he just lifted himself up out of a dark hole. It’s the kind of raw, cinematic drama that makes combat sports magic.