Justin Gaethje (21-2-0) stopped Donald Cerrone (36-13-0, 1NC) early in the first round to collect his third consecutive stoppage victory in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 16 in Vancouver Saturday night.
Both fighters were methodical early, but a massive Gaethje right hand stunned Cerrone late in the first round, forcing him to take a knee. Followup uppercut strikes forced referee John Valel to halt the bout at 4:18.
It was probably a frustrating loss for Cerrone, who was doing fine until being caught and handed his second straight defeat.
In the post fight interview, Gaethje said he would like to fight the winner of lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and his expected challenger Tony Ferguson.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the bout
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1173083098860244992?s=20
💰 @Justin_Gaethje is a walking bonus! #UFCVancouver pic.twitter.com/FJWSRoh53y
— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2019
Tristan Connelly and Michel Pereira earned Fight of the Night honours, while Gaethje and Misha Cirkunov earned performance bonuses. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus, except for Connelly, who collected both FOTN bonuses for a $100,000 USD payday due to Perieira missing weight.
In the post fight interview, Gaethje said he would like to fight the winner of lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and his expected challenger Tony Ferguson.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the bout.
MAIN CARD
#15 MISHA CIRKUNOV VS. JIM CRUTE
From the brink of defeat, @MishaC911 reverses position, and gets the submission win! Wow! #UFCVancouver pic.twitter.com/wlYZWIEWP2
— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2019
WINNER: MISHA CIRKUNOV VIA SUBMISSION (PERUVIAN NECKTIE) R1 3:36
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MISHA CIRKUNOV VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: A fantastic sweep by Misha to steal a win from Crute. Crute will be back and hard too.
#12 URIAH HALL VS. #13 ANTONIO CARLOS JR.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1173035239871897601?s=20
WINNER: URIAH HALL VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: URIAH HALL VIA UD
Andrews: We saw a lot of improved Uriah, but the old Uriah showed up late and almost cost him the win.
MICHEL PEREIRA VS. TRISTAN CONNELLY
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1173047157915435008?s=20
WINNER: TRISTAN CONNELLY VIA UD (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MICHEL PEREIRA VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow! Tristan comes in short notice and does a Bianca Andreescu. And he cashed in too.
TODD DUFFEE VS. JEFF HUGHES
No contest in Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/T8wN0CzyNb
— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2019
WINNER: NO CONTEST (EYE POKE)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TODD DUFFEE VIA TKO
Andrews: What’s up Todd? You could have won the bout and moved forward, now you’re in the doghouse for another four years.
#9 GLOVER TEIXEIRA VS. #13 NIKITA KRYLOV
Do your scorecards match!?@GloverTeixeira gets the split decision! #UFCVancouver pic.twitter.com/NLLIYvSepN
— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2019
WINNER: GLOVER TEIXEIRA VIA SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GLOVER TEIXEIRA VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Glover continues to hang on using his smarts and he did it again, but the sun is setting.
MAIN EVENT
#4 DONALD CERRONE VS. #5 JUSTIN GAETHJE
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1173065636517273600?s=20
WINNER: JUSTIN GAETHJE VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 4:18
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DONALD CERRONE VIA TKO
Andrews: There’s a new sheriff in town.
