Tony Ferguson reveals wrestling roots ahead of RAF 10 clash

Tony Ferguson stepped back onto the wrestling mats with a story most UFC fans have never heard.

The former interim lightweight champion faces undefeated Arman Tsarukyan in the co-main event of Real American Freestyle 10 this Saturday at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, and according to MMA Mania, Ferguson used the buildup to detail a wrestling background he says lacks any public footage. He pointed to a freestyle state championship, a runner-up finish at freestyle nationals in Syracuse, and recruitment interest from Stanford and The Citadel as proof of credentials the cage never showcased.

Ferguson told RAF's YouTube channel that wrestling entered his life during a childhood move from Oxnard, California, to Michigan, where his stepfather wanted him to experience outdoor living and hunting. He wanted to train in boxing and taekwondo like the Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee movies, but Michigan offered wrestling instead. "Little did I know that wrestling was just one of those sports that saved my life," he said, per the report.

Ferguson's Grand Valley State promissory note and Mills reunion

He recalled getting thrown around in his first wrestling room session and vowing never to let that happen again. Years later, a phone call from teammate Dustin Dean brought him to the Grand Valley State wrestling room, where he showed up nervous but jumped into live rounds, sprints, and drills until he threw up. Coach Dave Mills gave Ferguson a promissory note to cover tuition when money ran short, a gesture Ferguson said taught him what a real coach looks like. He captained the team, worked full-time, attended school full-time, and won a national title before eventually paying Mills back in full around 2015 or 2016 with a smiley face and a thank-you note on the final check.

Mills will corner Ferguson on Saturday against Tsarukyan, who has dominated every opponent in RAF competition so far. Ferguson dismissed concerns about the stylistic mismatch. "When I play the game like that, I'm better at chess than Bobby Fischer," he said. "You have no idea how fast I am, how strong I am."

The RAF 10 card streams live Saturday night from St. Louis.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Video: Record-setting UFC loser explains life-saving secret wrestling background ahead of daunting Arman Tsarukyan RAF 10 co-main event match