Decades of fighting experience couldn't prepare Tony Ferguson for what he faced this past week at Misfits Boxing 11.
Ferguson, a former UFC interim champion, continued his latest career chapter in influencer boxing this past Saturday at Misfits Boxing 11 in Miami. He faced fellow MMA fighter Mahmoud Sebie in his first title defense of the Misfits Boxing middleweight title. Yet, something felt off. This was the first time Ferguson fought without having his mother – who passed in August.
"I was nervous as sh*t," Ferguson told Fred Talks Fighting. "This whole week was different compared to any of the fights I've had in the UFC, MMA, boxing, whatever it is. My mom has always been there physically, and this time it was a little different, but I didn't
feel any void because I felt the energy."
Ferguson had a hard time dealing with fight week because of his recent loss. He did his best to stay dialed in, and in the end it paid off with a second-round KO win over Sebie.
"Why do you think the one that birthed you is no longer in your life, the one that gives you advice and all these things," Ferguson said. "You have to remember exactly what the good stuff was. I'm not saying I was in a dream state. We talk about getting up this morning and doing everything right and kept calm. I have to work on getting that first round out in the back so when I'm out there I'm not in a dream state. I know exactly what we were going to do: weather the storm. He was going to come out and blow his wad, and we capitalized on that."
After his win, Ferguson faced off in the cage with YouTuber Austin McBroom. Ferguson said he had no idea who McBroom is, but he's game to take on anybody, as long as he gets to fight one more time in 2026.
"I'll fight anybody," Ferguson said. "The management, we'll go and talk, and we'll make something happen. I want to get another victory out this year, so maybe in December we'll find that out."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Tony Ferguson emotional over Misfits Boxing win after mother's death
