What is Tony Ferguson’s net worth?
Tony Ferguson is an American professional mixed martial artist who has a net worth of $2 million. Tony Ferguson is best known for his unpredictable fighting style, ironclad toughness, and long-running success in the UFC’s lightweight division. A former interim UFC Lightweight Champion, Ferguson rose to prominence in the mid-2010s with an unmatched 12-fight win streak against some of the toughest opponents in the division. His aggressive pressure, unconventional movement, and reliance on elbows, submissions, and relentless cardio made him a fan favorite and one of the most feared fighters in the sport. Known for his catchphrases like “Snap Down City” and “Champ Sh*t Only,” Ferguson cultivated a unique persona that extended beyond his fights, often training in bizarre, self-directed ways that mirrored his chaotic in-cage style.
Despite never capturing the undisputed title—largely due to a series of canceled bouts with Khabib Nurmagomedov—Ferguson’s body of work, particularly between 2013 and 2019, established him as one of the most respected lightweights in MMA history. Though his later years were marked by a dramatic downturn in performance, Ferguson remains a beloved figure in the sport for his warrior spirit and willingness to fight anyone, anytime.
Early Life and Wrestling Background
Anthony Armand Ferguson Padilla was born on February 12, 1984, in Oxnard, California, and raised in Muskegon, Michigan. Of Mexican-American heritage, Ferguson was a standout athlete in multiple sports. He excelled in wrestling, becoming a three-time All-State wrestler and winning a state championship in high school.
Ferguson continued wrestling at Central Michigan University before transferring to Grand Valley State University, where he won the 2006 National Collegiate Wrestling Association national championship. After college, Ferguson moved back to California and began training in MMA, blending his wrestling background with boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
His big break came in 2011 when he entered and won Season 13 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” earning a UFC contract and showcasing his knockout power in the process.
UFC Career and Rise to Contention
Ferguson made his official UFC debut in June 2011 with a first-round knockout over Ramsey Nijem at “The Ultimate Fighter” Finale. After a few wins and a setback loss to Michael Johnson, Ferguson embarked on one of the most dominant streaks in UFC lightweight history.
From 2013 to 2019, Ferguson won 12 straight fights, defeating top contenders such as Edson Barboza, Rafael dos Anjos, Josh Thomson, Kevin Lee, Donald Cerrone, and Anthony Pettis. His 2015 fight with Barboza earned “Fight of the Year” consideration, and his clash with Lee for the interim lightweight title at UFC 216 ended with Ferguson submitting Lee via triangle choke to become interim champion.
However, his journey to an undisputed title shot was plagued with misfortune. Ferguson was scheduled to face Khabib Nurmagomedov five times between 2015 and 2020, but each bout was canceled due to injuries, weight cut issues, and the pandemic. Their highly anticipated grudge match became one of MMA’s most cursed pairings.
In May 2020, Ferguson accepted a fight with Justin Gaethje on short notice after Khabib pulled out due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Ferguson suffered a brutal beating, ending his legendary win streak and marking the beginning of a steep decline in performance.
Biggest Purses/Paydays
During the peak of his UFC career, Tony Ferguson earned substantial paydays as a top-tier lightweight contender. While he never crossed into Conor McGregor or Khabib-level earnings, his fight purses and bonuses were among the highest in the division.
- UFC 216 vs. Kevin Lee: Ferguson reportedly earned a base purse of $250,000 for winning the interim title, not including an additional $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.
- UFC 238 vs. Donald Cerrone: Ferguson earned $250,000 to show, with another $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus and a portion of the PPV points.
- UFC 249 vs. Justin Gaethje: One of his biggest checks, Ferguson earned a disclosed $500,000 base salary, plus bonuses. The fight also received “Fight of the Night” honors, adding $50,000.
- UFC 262 vs. Beneil Dariush: Ferguson’s base purse was reportedly $500,000, reflecting his veteran status even in a losing effort.
Throughout his UFC tenure, Ferguson also earned multiple “Fight of the Night” and “Performance of the Night” bonuses—estimated to total more than $450,000 across his career. Factoring in discretionary bonuses and sponsorships, Ferguson’s total career earnings likely exceed $4–5 million.
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Late Career Struggles
After the Gaethje loss, Ferguson entered a prolonged slump. He suffered additional defeats to Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, and Bobby Green—each fight exposing further decline in speed, defense, and durability.
Despite the losses, Ferguson continued to attract fan interest due to his name value and unpredictable style. His willingness to take on rising contenders and seasoned veterans alike helped maintain his relevance, even as calls for retirement grew louder.
Legacy
Though he never became the undisputed champion, Tony Ferguson’s legacy is secure. His 12-fight win streak stands as one of the greatest in lightweight history, and his battles with Barboza, Pettis, and Gaethje are still widely discussed among MMA fans.
He remains a cult hero—equal parts feared and admired—for his toughness, eccentric training routines, and love for chaos. In a sport filled with showmen and trash talkers, Ferguson carved out a lane as a true martial artist with a bizarre, unpredictable edge.
All net worths are calculated using data drawn from public sources. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback received from the celebrities or their representatives. While we work diligently to ensure that our numbers are as accurate as possible, unless otherwise indicated they are only estimates. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below.
