Misfits & DAZN X Series 22 was stacked with stars like Luke Rockhold, Darren Till, and even Dillon Danis, making it one of the biggest events of the year so far. But the spotlight was firmly on 41-year-old Tony Ferguson. Fans were eager to see if ‘El Cucuy’ could finally bounce back after his monumental eight-fight UFC skid—and he did just that, stopping Salt Papi via TKO. Now that Ferguson is back in the win column, the natural question is: what’s next?

The Misfits roster actually has some exciting options for him. A showdown with Danis could make sense, especially since both men are coming off high-profile wins. And who knows? Maybe even Donald Cerrone could step into the ring for a clash that would grab plenty of attention. But as the speculation heats up, another intriguing name has already raised his hand to face Ferguson in a boxing match.  

Tony Ferguson gets called out by Slim Albaher after the win over Salt Papi   

After Tony’s stellar Misfits boxing win, Slim ‘The Hitman’ Albaher wasted no time. He jumped on X and wrote, “I wanna box Tony Ferguson.” The American boxer’s callout was short, sharp, and to the point. And with Ferguson proving he can hang with a younger opponent like Salt Papi, you can bet more names will be lining up to share the ring with him.

Albaher’s timing was smart. Coming off Ferguson’s TKO win, social chatter on Reddit and X shows fans divided: some love the idea of Tony fighting a younger influencer-boxer like Slim, while others argue that Ferguson deserves a marquee name such as Danis or even Rockhold in a Misfits setting. That kind of fan split often fuels DAZN’s matchmaking, as debate translates directly into pay-per-view interest.

Another wrinkle here is the Misfits matchmaking philosophy: organizers love pairing MMA veterans against influencer-boxing stars because it brings both hardcore and casual audiences under one roof. Ferguson vs. Albaher ticks that box perfectly. Fans are already debating whether Tony’s name recognition could finally elevate Misfits into a more mainstream conversation, with some suggesting DAZN might even test him in a headliner spot.

It’s also worth remembering that Ferguson brings a loyal UFC fanbase with him. If Misfits books him as a main-eventer, DAZN could use his name recognition to bridge traditional MMA audiences and the influencer-boxing demographic—a crossover appeal Misfits has been chasing since KSI’s early involvement.

What makes Albaher an interesting candidate is the fact that he’s one of the few fighters to hand Salt Papi a KO loss. That alone gives him some name value, and stylistically, it would be a solid test for Ferguson. Now that Tony seems to have rediscovered his rhythm, fans are eager to see how he does against a slightly higher level of competition.

But this also raises another big question: what does Tony want? Does he continue his boxing run in Misfits, or does he feel the itch to step back into MMA? After this performance, the idea of seeing ‘El Cucuy’ return to the Octagon is something fans would definitely rally behind. Fortunately, the MMA legend has cleared that one out. 

‘El Cucuy’ reveals his next move   

Tony Ferguson has always been seen as an all-around MMA fighter, blending in unique techniques that set him apart from the rest. That’s why his decision to step fully into boxing raised some eyebrows—after all, this is a man famous for his elbows, something he can’t use inside the ring. But what we found out is that Tony’s got some crisp hands, too.

At 41 years old, the former UFC interim champ has shown he can adapt, and it looks like he’s eager to keep moving forward on this new path. Speaking to MMA Fighting after his Misfits debut, Ferguson said, “I wanna box, this is something else that’s a dream come true! I’d like to be 2-0. MMA is still there, but money talks and walks. I mean, we’re here to stay. I’m a misfit, so we’d figure that s–t out, man.”

So, for now, it’s clear that a shift back to MMA isn’t at the top of his mind. Still, it’s worth noting that the same Misfits event also featured an MMA bout between Dillon Danis and Warren Spencer—a reminder that if Tony ever decides to return to his roots, there’s an avenue waiting for him.

For Misfits and DAZN, the bigger story may be what Ferguson represents: a UFC name who can validate the influencer-boxing scene. If booked right, Ferguson’s involvement could mark a turning point where traditional fight fans start giving Misfits shows more serious attention.

With that being said, what do you think Tony should pursue next—stick with boxing or make a comeback to MMA? And who would be the perfect dance partner for ‘El Cucuy’? Drop your thoughts below.