Video recap: Gaethje dominates Ferguson, stops him in fifth

Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

Justin Gaethje defeated Tony Ferguson by fifth-round stoppage in the main event of UFC 249.

It was all Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 249, as he beat up Tony Ferguson for five rounds to win the interim UFC lightweight title by fifth-round stoppage.

What was the high point of the fight?

Ferguson was having success with leg kicks in the first round, catching Gaethje as he stepped into range. Gaethje caught Ferguson with his lead left hook in several occasions, but the chin of Ferguson was holding up well.

After losing a lot of the second round, Ferguson landed a huge uppercut that dropped Gaethje. “The Highlight”’ responded well by winning the next two rounds, beating up Ferguson with some heavy punches on the feet. Midway through the fifth round, referee Herb Dean decided Ferguson had taken too much punishment and stopped the fight.

Where do both men go from here?

It’s the first loss in thirteen fights for Ferguson, who inevitably misses out on a long awaited shot at current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov with the loss. “El Cucuy” is still right at the top of the 155-pound division regardless, and won’t have to do much before earning his right to fight for a title again.

Gaethje has had somewhat of a career resurgence after his consecutive losses to Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier. Now being the interim champion of the division, the only fight to make next for Gaethje is a unification bout against Khabib.

Watch it now, later or never?

Watch it now to see highlights of Gaethje’s masterclass.