Lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and James Vick threw down tonight (Sat., August 25, 2018) in Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, live and free on Fox Sports 1. Gaethje was attempting to bounce back from back-to-back losses in wars with Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier, while James Vick, riding a 4-fight win streak, was looking to break into the lightweight elite.
Vick immediately feinted a double leaping knee. Gaethje looked to pressure, eating a jab and front kick from Vick. He leg kicked, then blocked three kicks from Vick, closed into the clinch. Vick kicked twice to the body. GAETHJE CLOSED THE DISTANCE WITH AN OVERHAND RIGHT AND IT WAS GOODNIGHT JAMES VICK! What a knockout! He was insta-sleep. Gaethje instantly leaped off the top of the cage for a flip. Brian Ortega, cageside, was filming and swore in admiration. Vick had no idea what happened, and when Gaethje went to try to console him he tried to take Gaethje down again.
Justin Gaethje says he is the least fake person in the UFC, he takes everything personal, he took everything Vick said personal, and he’s glad he put him to sleep. He said he prepared for 25 minutes. He also said it’s hard to take punches coming backwards. He called out Tony Ferguson, then told Paul Felder interviewing him that he heard Felder would like to fight him. “I would love to fight you” Felder told Gaethje. “I’ll take Tony” replied Gaethje with a laugh.
Official result: Justin Gaethje def. James Vick via KO at 1:27 of Round 1
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