In this paper, the design of a model reference adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller (MRAFSMC) for a class of time-delay uncertain nonlinear systems with input containing sector nonlinearities and dead-zone is investigated. First, an adaptive fuzzy technique is applied to estimate the bound of the lumped uncertainties. Next, based on the Lyapunov stability theorem, a MRAFSMC is developed to solve the control problem. The proposed controller not only possesses the advantages of sliding mode control (SMC) and adaptive fuzzy control law, but also eliminates the disadvantage of traditional SMC. Finally, a computer simulation example is used to demonstrate the performance of the proposed control strategy.