Tony Ferguson lands first bout in new promotion six months after boxing win

May 1, 2026 - 11:45

Tony Ferguson has been booked to face Arman Tsarukyan under the Real American Freestyle (RAF) banner on June 13.

On Friday, the first unscripted professional wrestling league announced the 42-year-old former UFC star will make his promotional debut in St. Louis, Missouri, for RAF10.

Tony Ferguson celebrates with his belt after victory in the Middleweight fight between Tony Ferguson and Nathaniel Bustamante during the Misfits 22 - Ring of Thrones fight night at AO Arena on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England — Ferguson won the Misfits Boxing middleweight title last August and defended it in his most recent outing in December

Ferguson faces current UFC lightweight star Tsarukyan, who has competed four times for RAF since his last fight in Dana White‘s promotion.

Ferguson’s Misfits success

‘El Cucuy’ had his last UFC fight in August 2024, before transitioning to boxing and signing with KSI‘s Misfits.

One year after leaving the UFC, he stopped content creator Nathaniel Bustamante, also known as ‘Salt Papi’, on his debut to become the new MFB pro middleweight champion.

It was Ferguson’s first win in six years, having finished his time in the UFC on an eight-fight losing skid, which included losses to Paddy Pimblett, Nate Diaz and Justin Gaethje.

He then defended the belt against Warren Spencer at Misfits Mania in December on the same card that Andrew Tate was defeated by Chase DeMoor.

And Ferguson is now set to make his RAF debut in June.

Tsarukyan keeps going

He faces Tsarukyan, who has arguably been the face of the promotion over the last four months.

The Armenian, who is hoping to get his hands on UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria next, has had a chaotic run thus far.

He sent UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber flying off stage in his last match, just over a month after he was involved in a violent brawl with wrestling rival Georgio Poullas.

Tsarukyan, incredibly, is also already booked to feature on RAF09 on May 30, which also includes UFC stars Gable Steveson, Colby Covington, and Merab Dvalishvili.

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Tony Ferguson punches Nathaniel Bustamant during the Middleweight fight between Tony Ferguson and Nathaniel Bustamante during the Misfits 22 - Ring of Thrones fight night at AO Arena on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England — ‘El Cucuy’ has loved his time boxing, but wants to be involved in as many different sports as possible

Ferguson could return to MMA

Ferguson, meanwhile, may also return to MMA this year, having laid out an ambitious four-sport plan when speaking to talkSPORT.com in December.

“When I take these fights, I’m giving my best effort,” Ferguson said.

“Sometimes I get out of bed, after not the best camps, but that’s life, and you move on through it.

“This is how it f***ing goes…

“It’s been a blessing, it’s been a f***ing amazing ride, [but] I’m not over yet with this s***.

“[In] 2026, I’m gonna be doing some freestyle wrestling.

Tony Ferguson prepares to face Paddy Pimblett of England in a lightweight fight during the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada — The 42-year-old isn’t finished just yet

“I’m gonna be doing some heavy jiu-jitsu grappling, boxing, obviously, and I’m gonna be getting back to MMA.

“That’s four sports. I’m usually playing three in a year. Usually, that’s what I miss. MMA, I was only doing one.

“All about being an athlete. The busier I am, the more structure I am, the better I am, the better everything feels and looks, man, especially my hairline!”