This paper presents a novel robust adaptive fuzzy tracking controller (RAFTC) for a wide class of perturbed strict-feedback nonlinear systems with both unknown system and virtual control gain nonlinearities. For unknown system nonlinearities, two types for them are included: one naturally satisfies the “triangularity condition” and may possess a class of unstructured uncertain functions which are not linearly parameterized, while the other is partially known and consists of parametric uncertainties and known “bounding functions”. The Takagi–Sugeno type fuzzy logic systems are used to approximate unknown system nonlinearities and a systematic design procedure is developed for synthesis of RAFTC by combining the backstepping technique and generalized small-gain approach. The algorithm proposed is highlighted by three advantages: (i) the semi-global uniform ultimate bound of RAFTC in the presence of perturbed uncertainties and unknown virtual control gain nonlinearities can be guaranteed, (ii) the adaptive mechanism with minimal learning parameterizations is obtained and (iii) the possible controller singularity problem in some of the existing adaptive control schemes with feedback linearization techniques can be removed. Performance and limitations of proposed method are discussed and illustrated with simulation results.