Arguably the hardest test of Tony Ferguson’s 12-fight UFC winning streak got here just three matchups in.
On today, August 30, in 2014, the UFC 177 pay-per-view took place on the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California.
The important event saw a short-notice title fight, as Octagon newcomer Joe Soto fought valiantly against TJ Dillashaw after being called as much as the important event the day before when Renan Barao was hospitalized during his weight cut.
On a important card that included 4 finishes, the one contest to go the space was Ferguson’s co-main event against Danny Castillo. The bout got here because the third on the fan-favorite lightweight’s historic winning run, and it was the closest he got here to losing.
Danny Castillo said he would have won in prison after Tony Ferguson survived late UFC 177 rally
The choice to raise their matchup to co-headline status drew criticism, but Ferguson and Castillo placed on an entertaining three-round scrap. While ‘El Cucuy’ was 15-3 on the time, ‘Last Call’ entered with a 17-6 record in MMA.
Ferguson, who won The Ultimate Fighter 13 three years earlier, enjoyed a powerful first round but was controlled on the bottom for much of the ultimate frame. That made the second round key within the eyes of the judges, and two leaned the way in which of the then-future interim UFC lightweight champion.
The split decision verdict irked the Sacramento crowd and Castillo, who was frustrated by Ferguson’s defensive approach on the bottom late on, which he said wouldn’t have been possible if their fight took place in much different surroundings.
“I don’t think he landed any punches, I punched him up with my boxing,” Castillo said during his post-fight interview.
“We went to the bottom and he wasn’t doing anything, what can I do? I controlled a grown man and he couldn’t do anything.
“If we were in jail, he’d be in trouble,” Castillo added.
Tony Ferguson will make his pro boxing debut exactly 11 years later
Castillo went on to lose his next three fights contained in the Octagon and was released in 2016. The 45-year-old has not competed since.
Ferguson, meanwhile, won an extra nine fights consecutively to tie Khabib Nurmagomedov for the second-longest winning streak in UFC lightweight history. But since Ferguson’s TKO win over Donald Cerrone to earn a title shot, the veteran fighter has experienced nothing but defeat.
His UFC tenure was dropped at an end last 12 months after a submission setback against Michael Chiesa sent Ferguson to a record eight-fight losing skid.
In his first bout outside of the Octagon, Ferguson will debut in pro boxing against TikTok star Salt Papi. Their matchup co-headlines Saturday’s Misfits Boxing 22 card on the AO Arena in Manchester.