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UFC lightweight standout Tony Ferguson has successfully concluded a legal matter related to a DUI arrest earlier this year by entering into a plea agreement with prosecutors.
In an agreement reached in court, Ferguson saw the DUI charge dismissed after entering a plea of Nolo Contendere, or "no contest" to a reduced charge of wet reckless driving on a highway. As part of the plea deal, Ferguson will serve a one-year probationary period.
The development was initially reported by MMAJunkie and confirmed by online court records. "Nolo contendere" denotes a defendant's acceptance of a conviction without admitting guilt in a criminal case.
The resolution of the court case follows Ferguson's arrest and subsequent DUI charge stemming from an incident in May. The UFC veteran was apprehended after reportedly colliding with two parked cars outside a Hollywood nightclub, allegedly overturning his truck during the accident. Ferguson was detained after declining to participate in a field sobriety test.
Following his release on bail, Ferguson had initially entered a plea of not guilty in response to the charges.
With the acceptance of the plea agreement, Ferguson has officially had the DUI charge dismissed, now facing one year of probation tied to the lesser charge of reckless driving.
At 39 years old, Ferguson is slated to return to the Octagon on December 16, marking his comeback in a featured bout against Paddy Pimblett at the UFC 296 pay-per-view event. This fight will be Ferguson's first appearance since his July loss to Bobby Green.
The resolution of Ferguson's legal case brings closure to the DUI matter, allowing the former interim UFC lightweight champion to shift his focus back to the upcoming fight and resume his pursuit within the mixed martial arts realm.