Due to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s unavailability the UFC decided to put an interim belt on the line in this headliner
Justin “the Highlight” Gaethje enters on a three-fight win streak while Tony “El Cucuy” Fergusson enters on a ridiculous 12 fight win streak.
Round 1
Ferguson starts well enough with a solid front kick and later a combo front kick-left hand combination. But Gaethje later cracks El Cucuy with a hard left hook. Gaethje is swinging with fight-ending intent. Ferguson lands a nice high-kick jab combo. Toward the end of the round, it is Gaethje who scores with a right hand counter and two solid left hooks.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Gaethje
Round 2
El Cucuy starts off with a nice superman punch. Another cracking left hook lands by Gaethje. Ferguson is showing his incredible chin by taking these shots from Gaethje who looks very sharp. Gaethje then hammers away with two low kicks. A good right hand over the top by The Highlight. Ferguson is not doing much, and the legendary Joe Rogan suggests that Ferguson may be playing a waiting game and/or possum in order to tire out Gaethje. However, that doesn’t seem like a very good idea, if true, considering how badly Gaethje is currently smashing El Cucuy. After getting cracked some more, Ferguson starts to get active with about 1:30 left in the round. Gaethje starting to miss on his shots a bit more. Ferguson has his best moment of the fight as he drops Gaethje at the end of the round with an uppercut to the bottom of Gaethje’s jaw.
Gaethje’s coach, the outstanding Trevor Whitman, tells Gaethje during the break between rounds that he needs to tone down his power from 100% to 90% and not get too lackadaisical. Seems like solid advice.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Ferguson (due to late knockdown)
Round 3
Another strong left hook by Gaethje but Ferguson appears to eat it easily. But big damage under Ferguson’s left eye starts to appear. The eye is swollen and the right eye has a bad cut. A good, hard right hand counter by Gaethje stuns El Cucuy. But Ferguson answers with a cracking uppercut. Gaethje follows with a huge right hand. Ferguson, ever the entertaining fighter, throws a sweeping low kick while crouching down late in the round. Gaethje then hammers Ferguson with another hard right hand. This is an incredible fight with Gaethje impressing with his pace and hard shots, while Ferguson is impressing mostly with his chin and ability to move forward despite taking an incredible amount of punishment.
Round 4
Ferguson gets off a nice front kick. Gaethje answers with a nice left hook. Then another left hook. The left hook has been money for Gaethje all fight. Gaethje is clearly landing more frequently and the much harder shots. Gaethje then staggers Ferguson with an overhand right. Ferguson is on the run but appears to recover fairly quick. Late in the round, Ferguson digs a nice hook to the body of Gaethje.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Gaethje
Round 5
Gaethje starts the round with a good low kick. A right hand over the top by Gaethje hurts El Cucuy. Gaethje lands a huge combo as the announcers have been wondering how much damage Ferguson can take. A great 1-2 by Gaethje rocks Ferguson. Another hard shot lands flush for Gaethje. Gaethje is absolutely smashing Ferguson and it is a wonder how Ferguson is still standing. Another cracking 1-2 combo from Gaethje. The fight ending sequence then occurs with two more huge shots from Gaethje that clearly stuns Ferguson as Ferguson twice shakes his head unnaturally and does not appear all there. The referee mercifully ends the fight.
This writer is not of a fan of Khabib Nurmagomedov. While unfortunately having to acknowledge Khabib’s dominance, his style of getting fighting – getting top position, then trapping the legs by crossing his opponent and crossing their feet over, and boringly punching away – is not very appealing. Here is hoping Gaethje can end Nurmagomedov’s stay at the top whenever Nurmagomedov ends up deciding he wants to actually take a fight.
Official decision – TKO victory for Gaethje at 3:39 of Round 5