Tony Ferguson, the former interim UFC Lightweight champion, is currently involved in a legal battle following an alleged car crash in Hollywood, California. He was charged with misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and recently pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. The incident occurred in May 2023, when Ferguson’s truck allegedly collided with two parked vehicles, resulting in his truck flipping onto its side. Despite being uncooperative and refusing a field sobriety test, Ferguson was released on bail and did not sustain any physical injuries.
If found guilty of the misdemeanor DUI charge in California, Ferguson could face fines of up to $1,000, mandatory alcohol rehabilitation and education classes, and the possibility of informal probation, which would require him to avoid further legal troubles during the probation period. Jail time is rare for first-time offenders in such cases.
Nevertheless, Ferguson continues to pursue his MMA career, unaffected by the ongoing legal situation. The UFC recently announced his return to the lightweight division, where he is scheduled to face King at UFC 291 on July 29, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah. This fight presents an opportunity for Ferguson to break his five-fight losing streak, which dates back to June 2019, when he defeated Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. His most recent bout took place in September 2022 at UFC 279, where he submitted to a fourth-round guillotine choke against Nate Diaz.