Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Check out which fighters won performance bonuses from UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje
The VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida was home to a solid night of fights at UFC 249 tonight. The card saw five (T)KOs, zero submissions and six decisions, including three split-decisions.
Tonight’s card saw a good dichotomy of finishes and scraps that went the distance. After nearly two months without a card, it was nice to finally get some live action. We were treated to the expected barn-burner that was Luque vs. Price, a sensational elbow TKO from Calvin Kattar, the tearing of a man’s whole soul from his body when Big Franci decimated Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Henry Cejudo becoming the first man to stop Dominick Cruz via (T)KO then retiring, and Justin Gaethje stopping Tony Ferguson in the fifth round of an absolutely stellar fight.
Performance of the Night: Justin Gaethje, Francis Ngannou
Vicente Luque (R3 3:37 via TKO Doctor Stoppage), Calvin Kattar R2 2:42 via KO Elbows and Punches), Francis Ngannou R1 0:20 via KO Punches), Henry Cejudo TKO Knee and Punches), and Justin Gaethje R5 3:39 TKO Punches) all finished their respective fights inside the distance, but it was Francis Ngannou and Justin Gaethje that would take home the performance bonuses tonight.
Fight of the Night: Ferguson vs. Gaethje
Ryan Spann (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), Bryce Mitchell (30-25, 30-25, 30-24), Carla Esparza (27-30, 29-28, 30-27), Alexey Oleynik (28-29, 29-28, 29-28), Anthony Pettis (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Greg Hardy (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) all went the distance in their fights, but FOTN honors would be awarded to Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson for their thrilling contest.
*Note: Justin Gaethje has had seven UFC fights and has won nine performance bonuses.