After winning the interim Misfits middleweight title earlier this year, former UFC interim champion Tony Ferguson returned to action on Saturday in Dubai on the aptly named “Fight Before Christmas” card.
After ending his UFC run on an eight-fight skid, albeit against top competition, Ferguson had picked up his first win in years when he defeated “Salt Papi” in August. On Saturday it was Warren Spencer who faced Ferguson, a long-time fan favorite in the MMA world, many of whom had followed him into boxing.
For his part, Spencer technically had more boxing experience, going 2-0 as a pro with a handful of exhibition fights. However, Ferguson had much more fighting experience overall and by the end of the opening round he began to find a home for his right hand.
That left hand connected again in the second, and although Spencer briefly stood and traded with “El Cucuy,” it didn’t last long. Mostly he backed off, and soon Ferguson started unloading on Spencer, who didn’t seem to want anything to do with the exchange. As he retreated, the fight was stopped by the referee, much to the fans’ dismay, but on the restart, Ferguson dropped Spencer and then got in his face, taunting the fallen foe. That sparked a ‘Tony’ chant among fans in Dubai, as Spencer complained of being hit on the back of the head.
Ferguson opened the third round connecting with a left, and once again Spencer pulled away. He would fight back later in the round and come off the ropes hot. Yet it was Ferguson who connected more, showed better movements and better cardio. Spencer connected with his jab later in the round, but a right hand hurt him and Ferguson briefly pinned him in the corner. A shootout ensued, with both men landing, with Spencer really in the fight for the first time, although Ferguson still seemed to be in the lead.
It was Spencer who made a big left landing early in the fourth round of a possible five. A few follow-ups also hit the mark, giving Spencer the best start to any round in the fight yet. However, Ferguson came back and brought Spencer down. Spencer proved he wasn’t going to go away easy, especially after the knockdown in the second. He drilled the body with his right hand and Ferguson was a little delayed in his reaction. They crashed into the ropes, the fight was paused for a moment, which benefited Fergson. Spencer started going to the body, and Ferguson had his hands down. That allowed Spencer to tag Tony up top, and Spencer had the fourth round in the bag.
Considering the knockdown in the second, Spencer may have been looking for a finish if he wanted to claim the Misfits middleweight title. It was Ferguson who came to the fore again in the final frame, apparently recovered from the damage in the fourth. With a minute and a half to go, Spencer lost his mouthpiece, and apparently a tooth, a sign of the extensive damage done by Ferguson early in the fight. Ferguson’s jab was still there, and he backed Spencer; Spencer tore the body in response, but simply didn’t have it in him to find the finish. Spencer slipped late in the round and took valuable time off the clock. It was Tony who tagged Spencer late, only the ropes keeping him up and preventing another knockdown prior to the final bell!
For a Misfits fight that saw Ferguson compete as a boxer for the second time, it was a very entertaining affair for what it was. No surprise, Ferguson got the nod from the judges and became the Misfits’ undisputed middleweight champion in his second win of 2025.
Official result: Tony Ferguson def. Warren Spencer by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46)
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