Remember when ‘El Cucuy’ almost had his legendary streak snapped? Dive back into UFC 177 as Tony Ferguson faced Danny Castillo in a fight that left everyone talking. Castillo even had a wild theory about how it would have ended in a ‘jail fight’! What do you think truly happened that night?

One of the most significant challenges in Tony Ferguson’s remarkable 12-fight UFC winning streak emerged early on, just three bouts into his dominant run. This pivotal encounter, which saw Ferguson nearly suffer a defeat, remains a key talking point among MMA enthusiasts and historians, particularly due to the controversial split decision and his opponent’s memorable post-fight remarks.

This memorable showdown unfolded on August 30, 2014, as part of the UFC 177 pay-per-view event held at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. Amidst a main card largely characterized by swift finishes, the clash between Tony Ferguson and Danny Castillo stood out as the sole contest that went the full distance, adding to its notoriety.

The decision to elevate the Tony Ferguson vs. Danny Castillo bout to co-headline status initially drew some criticism from the MMA community. However, both El Cucuy (Ferguson’s moniker) and ‘Last Call’ (Castillo’s nickname) delivered an entertaining three-round UFC scrap that silenced many doubters. At the time, Ferguson boasted a 15-3 record, while Castillo entered the Octagon with a respectable 17-6 professional MMA record.

The fight itself was a tactical battle, with Danny Castillo enjoying a strong first round where he displayed effective striking and control. As the fight progressed, Tony Ferguson found himself controlled on the ground for much of the final frame, making the second round absolutely crucial in the judges’ scoring. Ultimately, two of the three judges sided with Ferguson, who was then on his way to becoming an interim lightweight champion.

The split decision verdict did not sit well with the local Sacramento crowd nor with Danny Castillo, who expressed palpable frustration with Tony Ferguson’s defensive tactics on the ground late in the fight. Castillo famously claimed that such tactics would not have been possible had their UFC encounter taken place in “much different surroundings,” implying a more unforgiving environment like a “jail fight.”

Following his contentious loss to Tony Ferguson at UFC 177, Danny Castillo’s UFC career took a downward turn. He went on to lose his next three fights consecutively inside the Octagon and was subsequently released from the promotion in 2016. The now 45-year-old Castillo has not competed professionally in MMA since his UFC departure, marking an end to his competitive career.

Tony Ferguson, in stark contrast, continued his remarkable ascent after the Danny Castillo fight. He secured nine more consecutive UFC victories, a streak that famously tied him with Khabib Nurmagomedov for the second-longest winning streak in UFC lightweight history. However, after failing to secure a title shot during his peak, El Cucuy has since faced a challenging period, enduring a lengthy string of defeats.

Ferguson’s UFC tenure ultimately concluded last year following a submission loss to Michael Chiesa, which extended his record to an eight-fight losing skid. Despite his departure from the premier MMA organization, Tony Ferguson continues to be active in combat sports, notably embarking on a new chapter. His upcoming bout against TikTok star Salt Papi is set to co-headline Saturday’s Misfits Boxing 22 card in Manchester, showcasing his enduring presence in the fight world.