UFC 177 results: Tony Ferguson earns split decision over Danny Castillo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — All week long Tony Ferguson and Danny Castillo made it clear they had chips on their shoulders. Both had heard the criticism of the fact their lightweight fight was elevated to the co-main event at UFC 177, and both were determined to stick it to their haters.

It made for an exciting, well-contested fight. Ferguson and Castillo brought the best out of one another at Sleep Train Arena on Saturday night, going back and forth for a frenetic 15 minutes.

In the end, much to the displeasure of the Sacramento crowd, two of three judges saw it against Castillo, a Team Alpha Male fighter. All three judges scored the fight 29-28, with two going for Ferguson in the split decision.

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“I think we put on a good fight, I got the decision and I’m happy with it,” said Ferguson (16-3), who has won nine of his past 10 fights.”

The first round was Ferguson’s best, as The Ultimate Fighter 13 winner out of Oxnard, Calif. came out flying. He had Castillo in a deep D’Arce choke, but as the fans in Sacramento stomped their feet and rattled the backs of chairs urging on the hometown Castillo, the Team Alpha Male fighter finally managed to escape.

The fight’s scorecards came down to the second round. Ferguson continued to go for broke, over the first half of the round. In doing so, his sloppiness got the best from him and Castillo took control of the round over the final couple minutes.

The third was clearly Castillo’s, as he came on over the second half of the round. He scored a slam, maintained top control, and had Ferguson in a head-and-arm choke over the round’s final seconds.

For his part, Ferguson wasn’t impressed with Castillo’s ground work. “When you lay on someone like that and you’re not trying to pass and you’re chilling the judges look at that,” he said.

Castillo, who has been a part of Zuffa since joining the WEC in 2008, was equally unimpressed with Ferguson.

“I don’t think he landed any punches, I punched him up with my boxing,” said Castillo (17-7), who has dropped two out of his past three fight.  We went to the ground and he wasn’t doing anything, what can I do? I controlled a grown man and he couldn’t do anything. If we were in jail, he’d be in trouble.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — All week long Tony Ferguson and Danny Castillo made it clear they had chips on their shoulders. Both had heard the criticism of the fact their lightweight fight was elevated to the co-main event at UFC 177, and both were determined to stick it to their haters.

It made for an exciting, well-contested fight. Ferguson and Castillo brought the best out of one another at Sleep Train Arena on Saturday night, going back and forth for a frenetic 15 minutes.

In the end, much to the displeasure of the Sacramento crowd, two of three judges saw it against Castillo, a Team Alpha Male fighter. All three judges scored the fight 29-28, with two going for Ferguson in the split decision.

More Coverage: UFC 177 Results | UFC news
Download MMA Fighting iPhone App

“I think we put on a good fight, I got the decision and I’m happy with it,” said Ferguson (16-3), who has won nine of his past 10 fights.”

The first round was Ferguson’s best, as The Ultimate Fighter 13 winner out of Oxnard, Calif. came out flying. He had Castillo in a deep D’Arce choke, but as the fans in Sacramento stomped their feet and rattled the backs of chairs urging on the hometown Castillo, the Team Alpha Male fighter finally managed to escape.

The fight’s scorecards came down to the second round. Ferguson continued to go for broke, over the first half of the round. In doing so, his sloppiness got the best from him and Castillo took control of the round over the final couple minutes.

The third was clearly Castillo’s, as he came on over the second half of the round. He scored a slam, maintained top control, and had Ferguson in a head-and-arm choke over the round’s final seconds.

For his part, Ferguson wasn’t impressed with Castillo’s ground work. “When you lay on someone like that and you’re not trying to pass and you’re chilling the judges look at that,” he said.

Castillo, who has been a part of Zuffa since joining the WEC in 2008, was equally unimpressed with Ferguson.

“I don’t think he landed any punches, I punched him up with my boxing,” said Castillo (17-7), who has dropped two out of his past three fight.  We went to the ground and he wasn’t doing anything, what can I do? I controlled a grown man and he couldn’t do anything. If we were in jail, he’d be in trouble.”