Tony Ferguson on fighting through grief: losing his mother before Misfits Boxing win

# Lead

# Background Ferguson's later UFC run ended badly amid a long losing stretch. Since leaving the promotion he has moved into crossover boxing under the Misfits banner and has posted recent wins that show his striking ability. His bout against Mahmoud Sebie on last week's Misfits card was another example of that shift in focus and results.

# The fight and the game plan Ferguson said the plan was straightforward: be calm early, absorb the opponent's initial offense, and take advantage when the opponent expended energy. He described the opponent as someone who would "come out and blow his wad," and said his team expected to weather that first surge and capitalize afterward. That tactical approach matched how he described the fight unfolding.

# Emotional context Ferguson told the interviewer, "I was nervous as sh*t. This whole week was different compared to any of the fights I've had in the UFC, MMA, boxing, whatever it is." He said his mother had always been physically present for him at fights, and that losing her created a new emotional dynamic. Ferguson added he did not feel a void because he "felt the energy," and he focused on remembering the good things she gave him, including advice and support.

# How he managed performance under grief

# What this means going forward The interview framed Ferguson's boxing move not as an escape but as an area where his striking skills are being showcased and refined. His comments suggest he's mentally processing personal loss while still trying to keep a competitive schedule and practical preparation for upcoming bouts. The conversation also reinforces that his camp had a clear tactical read on Sebie and executed it under emotionally challenging circumstances.

# Quick summary Tony Ferguson lost his mother shortly before his recent Misfits Boxing win. He said the week felt unlike any fight-week he'd had, he was unusually nervous, and he relied on the energy and memories of his mother. Tactically, he and his team planned to weather the opponent's early attack and capitalize when the opponent tired — a plan they say they executed successfully.