Tony Ferguson is best known for being the welterweight winner on the thirteenth edition of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series. Throughout his high school career Ferguson excelled in a variety of sports including football, basketball, and what would ultimately jump start his MMA career – wrestling. Prior to clinching the “TUF 13” title by knocking out Ramsey Nijem, Ferguson had earned notable stoppages of Brock Jardine and Davis Gardner.

Ferguson’s wrestling background served as a springboard to the sport of mixed martial arts. He was a standout wrestler throughout his high school career, becoming a three-time All-State selection and a Michigan State Champion his senior season. Collegiately, Ferguson would make his way to a variety of schools beginning with an NCAA Division I program at Central Michigan, before making his way to NJCAA school Muskegon Community College and finally settling in at Grand Valley State University. It would be at GVSU where Ferguson would earn his highest distinction - a 2006 NCWA National Championship at 165 pounds in addition to taking home NCWA All-American honours on two separate occasions. From a pure technical standpoint, Ferguson’s wrestling pedigree is very efficient. He demonstrates capable takedown abilities and efficient defensive wrestling. As a compliment to his wrestling base, Ferguson has shown agile top position grappling and excellent scrambling ability. He’s a very aggressive ground and pounder who secures quick transitions and beautiful rolls to avoid tight situations defensively. Ferguson’s overall grappling repertoire has expanded at a steady rate, and he’s shown the ability to attempt flashy, higher level techniques. Coming from a wrestling background, he will need to continue refining his BJJ and guard skills.

While Ferguson’s primary background might be wrestling, one would be hard pressed to assuming that when observing his standup. Ferguson is a strong, smooth striker who shows good rhythm and flow to his striking. He presents a diverse attack in his punches and kicks, showing the capacity to put together smooth combinations incorporating a variety of different techniques. Ferguson does an admirable job of working his head movement and possesses very smooth footwork. He puts together clean punches, avoids getting repetitive, and makes good use of his angles. Ferguson is equipped with good hands that include a crisp jab and lead left hook, nice uppercuts, and a clean straight right down the middle. He throws powerful inside leg kicks and possesses knockout power in both his fists and legs. On the defensive side of things, Ferguson shows good awareness keeping his chin tucked and positioning his hands effectively. A cerebral striker, Ferguson avoids the brawl and attempts to break down opposing fighters as methodically as possible. While he can finish with the big punch, it’s usually the accumulation and diversity in his standup that aids him over the course of his fights. At best when he’s dictating the pace and tempo, Ferguson does tend to back pedal and can be put on the defensive against aggressive strikers. As a boxing stylist, he will also need to concentrate on his clinch striking.