Tony Ferguson returned to victory in emphatic fashion, knocking out TikTok star Salt Papi in the third round of their boxing match at Manchester’s AO Arena. The former UFC interim lightweight champion ended a six-year losing streak, making an instant impact in his boxing debut under the Misfits Boxing banner.
Ferguson, sporting a fresh hairline, methodically stalked Salt Papi through the early rounds, with both fighters trading punches but failing to land a decisive blow in the opening exchanges. The pace quickened in the second round, with both men exchanging clean shots in the pocket. However, Ferguson’s experience began to show as he started to take control heading into the third.
Halfway through the final round, Ferguson trapped Papi against the ropes and unleashed a series of powerful strikes, forcing the referee to stop the fight and awarding Ferguson a decisive knockout. The victory marked a triumphant return for the MMA legend and capped off an electrifying night at the arena.
On the undercard, Dillon Danis returned to MMA action with a lightning-fast submission win over Warren Spencer, ending the fight in just 15 seconds. The night also saw reality TV star Joey Essex defeat Portuguese influencer Numeiro in a chaotic, back-and-forth bout dubbed ‘the crap Hagler-Hearns.’
Ferguson’s victory signals a fresh chapter for the former UFC star, proving that even outside the Octagon, his competitive fire remains intact.
