Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Watch video from the UFC 249 main event.
After a string of changes, UFC 249 was headlined by an interim lightweight title bout between an already former interim champ in Tony Ferguson, and Justin Gaethje. In a bout that pitted two action fighters and promised fireworks, it ended up as a mostly one-sided affair with Gaethje putting on a beautiful technical performance — on short notice nonetheless.
Gaethje outclassed Ferguson on the feet and is now the new interim UFC lightweight champion, and has set up a future clash with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Watch highlights from the UFC 249 title bout, along with a snippet from our live play by play of the event:
AS ADVERTISED. @TonyFergusonXT and @Justin_Gaethje swinging from the get-go! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/MUWJDDjKaT
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
DROPPED! @TonyFergusonXT with a HUGE uppercut to close R2! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/qRhkhlcHTs
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
How is Ferguson still standing after this massive right from @Justin_Gaethje?! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/Ow1Qdb3cNQ
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
JUSTIN GAETHJE WITH THE ULTIMATE HIGHLIGHT TONIGHT!
@Justin_Gaethje with a championship level performance in the biggest fight of his career! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/FyyXZYBVG0
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
JUSTIN GAETHJE WITH THE ULTIMATE HIGHLIGHT TONIGHT!
@Justin_Gaethje with a championship level performance in the biggest fight of his career! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/FyyXZYBVG0
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
All class. #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/kvA6m1ziLF
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
Round 5 – Ferguson tries to scoop an ankle right away, but can’t. Low kick from Gaethje. Front kick from Ferguson. Ferguson comes up short with a left, but Gaethje connects with the counter. Three punch combo from Gaethje with major power, and more leg kicks. Body kick from Ferguson. Low kick. Gaethje with another huge combo that sends Ferguson staggering back across the cage! WOW! Ferguson is still there though. Hard jab from Gaethje. Imanari roll from Ferguson, but he’s nowhere near Gaethje. Both of them land big shots. Gaethje lands harder though, and just pushes Ferguson over. Ferguson is stumbling because his front leg is messed up. Body shot from Ferguson. TWO MORE HUGE SHOTS FROM GAETHJE! How is Tony Ferguson still conscious? I don’t get it. He’s not human. Gaethje with another low kick and Ferguson limps awa, unable to defend himself. They finally, mercifully call off the fight.
Justin Gaethje defeated Tony Ferguson via TKO (strikes), 3:39 of round 5