Legendary fan favorite, Tony Ferguson, was officially removed from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) roster on Tuesday (Jan. 28, 2025) and a large collection of fight fans spiraled into emotional despair.
It should be noted that former UFC middleweight champion, Chris Weidman, and two-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger, Alexander Gustafsson, were also removed from the UFC roster, but “El Cucuy” has a special spot in the hearts of hardcore UFC fans everywhere.
Despite the emotional response from fight fans, Ferguson’s removal from the official UFC roster was not a huge surprise. Not only has the former interim UFC lightweight champion drop his last eight trips to the Octagon, but the 40-year-old veteran reportedly signed with Global Fight League (GFL) just this past weekend. Ferguson was even selected to a team during the official GFL 2025 Draft (replay HERE).
Whatever Ferguson ends up doing for the rest of his combat career fans will always look back and remember “El Cucuy” as one of the most entertaining fighters in UFC lightweight history. In his prime, Ferguson racked off 12-straight wins while cementing himself as one of the best 155-pounds fighters on the planet. Unfortunately, Ferguson’s time on top ran out in 2020 when he suffered the first knockout loss of his career at the hands of Justin Gaethje and he has failed to return to the win column ever since.
On Tuesday, fight fans came out in droves to pay their respects to Ferguson and send “El Cucuy” off in fashion. Check out some of the social media reaction to his official UFC roster removal below:
? Fighter removed: Tony Ferguson
— UFC Roster Watch (@UFCRosterWatch) January 28, 2025
“Noooooo, the boogeyman was up next for the title!!”
“Great run for Tony. Wish he didn’t end with so many losses.”
“As well he should be!! God bless. May he now retire in peace!!”
“I hate it here.”
“Tony the type of guy to remove himself from the roster.”
“Hold on brother I’m crying.”
“I really never got to watch this mf win a UFC fight live.”
“So long friend.”
“Depressing.”
“This probably should’ve happened a few fights ago. Unfortunately, he’s not the same person anymore.”
“Knew the day was coming but that doesn’t make it any easier.”
“This one hurts.”
“PAINNNN.”
“We will remember him, the only man who would’ve given Khabib a challenge.”
“Worse than 9/11.”