Justin Gaethje is the type of guy to shock Tony Ferguson and snatch the UFC interim lightweight champion at UFC 249.
Gaethje turned in an amazing performance to overcome the strikes and durability of Ferguson and pull off a fifth round TKO victory in the main event.
Was there any doubt? 🏆@ToyoTires | #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/YXNOjN8l1a
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
With undisputed champion Khabib Nurmagomedov watching from abroad, Gaethje poured cold water on a fifth bout attempt between the two by stopping Ferguson with unrelenting strikes that forced referee Herb Dean to call the bout at 3:39 of the final frame.
Both fighters came out swinging, and landed. Ferguson dropped Gaethje late in the second round with an uppercut, but the horn sounded before he could follow up. From then on, Gaethje started to overcome the Ferguson with power shots that opened him up on his forehead and left eye.
Still, Ferguson continued to move forward in the fourth, landing some good strikes, but Gaethje returned them and more.
The victory cements Gaethje into the No. 1 contender’s spot and a date with Nurmagomedov in a future unification bout.
For Ferguson, a 10-fight win streak and four cancelled title shot fights with Nurmagomedov is all he has to show for his amazing 10-fight win streak.
Heading to the pay window!
💰 @Justin_Gaethje
💰 @Francis_NgannouB2YB @P3Protein | #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/MhQc8v4b2b
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC FGHT PASS PRELIM
RYAN SPANN VS. SAM ALVEY
Caught you slipping, @JoeRogan! 😂#UFC249 pic.twitter.com/tnneU406qU
— UFC (@ufc) May 9, 2020
WINNER: RYAN SPANN VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: RYAN SPANN VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Much closer than I thought, Alvey came on strong as Spann looked hurt. Is Alvey on the bubble with four straight losses?
BRYCE MITCHELL VS. CHARLES ROSA
We're hearing EVERYTHING tonight, folks. 😂#UFC249 pic.twitter.com/uZCXymeXVn
— UFC (@ufc) May 9, 2020
WINNER: BRYCE MITCHELL VIA UD
ANDREWS PREDICTION: BRYCE MITCHELL VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Didn’t get the finish, credit Rosa for that, but put on a ground clinic. Get that man some camo shorts.
#7 VICENTE LUQUE VS. NIKO PRICE
DROPPED! 👊@VicenteLuqueMMA putting Price down in the third! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/lTPVOJjIEW
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
WINNER: VICENTE LUQUE VIA TKO (DOCTOR’S STOPPAGE) R3 3:37
ANDREWS PREDICTION: VINCENTE LUQUE VIA TKO
Andrews: Luque has Price’s number. Good win.
ESPN PRELIMS
#7 CARLA ESPARZA VS. #8 MICHELLE WATERSON
Get the cookies ready! 🍪@CarlaEsparza1 gets the split decision to make it three straight! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/Hcu27it2rR
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
WINNER: CARLA ESPARZA VIA SD (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MICHELLE WATERSON VIA UD
Andrews: Esparza did better striking than I thought, but Waterson should have won the fight.
#12 ALEKSEI OLEINEIK VS. FABRICIO WERDUM
The Boa Constrictor! 🐍
🇷🇺 @OleynikUFC gets the nod at #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/eg2tKxKtJD
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
WINNER: ALEKSEI OLEINEIK VIA SD (28-29,29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEKSEI OLEINEIK VIA TKO
Andrews: I thought Aleksei would catch a rusty Werdum striking and he did, but couldn’t finish him. Still, good win.
#6 DONALD CERRONE VS. #15 ANTHONY PETTIS
Two gunslingers swinging it out! 💥@ShowtimePettis and @CowboyCerrone giving us a show! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/viibyoxGFg
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
WINNER: ANTHONY PETTIS VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DONALD CERRONE VIA UD
Andrews: It’s time for Cowboy to hang them up. He did better, but it wasn’t good enough. He’s no longer a gatekeeper.
MAIN CARD
GREG HARDY VS. YORGAN DE CASTRO
Yikes. 😬#UFC249 pic.twitter.com/odJ5QRZ5zM
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
WINNER: GREG HARDY VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GREG HARDY VIA TKO
Andrews: Hardy showed grit overcoming the leg kicks and outworking De Castro.
#7 JEREMY STEPHENS VS. #9 CALVIN KATTAR
CALVIN KATTAR GETS IT DONE! 😤@CalvinKattar closes the show in the second! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/cQtDkij5UI
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
WINNER: CALVIN KATTAR VIA TKO R2 (STRIKES)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CALVIN KATTAR VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! Stephens is hard to finish, but Calvin did it.
#2 FRANCIS NGANNOU VS. #6 JAIRZINHO ROZENSTRUIK
ARE YOU KIDDING?! 🤯🤯@Francis_Ngannou with his FOURTH consecutive first-round KO! WOW! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/1M6Fh0GQpi
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
WINNER: FRANCIS NGANNOU VIA TO (STRIKES) R1 0:20
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JAIRZINHO ROZENSTRUIK VIA TKO
Andrews: Rozenstruik got caught early. Good job by the Predator.
HENRY CEJUDO VS. DOMINICK CRUZ
THAT'S IT! MESSAGE SENT!
🏆 @HenryCejudo DEFENDS AND STOPS DOMINICK CRUZ! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/bqWcYPsuDu
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
WINNER: HENRY CEJUDO VIA TKO R2 4:58
ANDREWS PREDICTION: HENRY CEJUDO VIA UD
Andrews: Kind of an early stoppage. Cejudo retires, but I still think he lost to Mighty Mouse. Give him credit for the win, the retirement feels bittersweet. There was still much more to do.
#1 TONY FERGUSON VS. #4 JUSTIN GAETHJE
All class. 👏#UFC249 pic.twitter.com/kvA6m1ziLF
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
WINNER: JUSTIN GAETHJE VIA TKO (STRIKES) R5 3:39
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TONY FERGUSON VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Wow! Gaethje comes up big with an amazing performance. Give Tony credit for trying to hang in there, but Justin kept landing.
