The split decision was razor close, but it was Ferguson’s offense off his back that swayed the judges decision in his favor tonight.

Ferguson spent the majority of the first round peppering Castillo with strikes from a safe distance. He started out by attacking Castillo’s legs, essentially taking the speed away from the Team Alpha Male member. Ferguson was eventually taken down at the end of the first round, but Castillo did nothing while in top-control.

As a matter of fact, most of the work on the ground was done by Ferguson despite fighting off his back.

Castillo landed more and more takedowns as the fight went on, but he generated little-to-no offense while on the ground. If anything, the takedowns were hurting him as Ferguson continued his attack.

Castillo finally had an opportunity to sway the offensive-momentum in his favor when he secured full-mount in the final round. He locked Ferguson in a head-arm triangle in the closing moments of the fight, but Ferguson was saved by the bell.

Depending on the judge, this fight truly could have gone either way. When all was said and done, though, it was Tony Ferguson who walked out of the octagon with his hands raised.

Tony Ferguson def. Danny Castillo by way of Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)