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Justin Gaethje in action against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. John Raoux

Gaethje crowned interim UFC lightweight champion after downing Ferguson in five-round epic

The event in Jacksonville was held amid strict hygiene guidelines.

JUSTIN GAETHJE IS the new interim UFC lightweight champion after overcoming Tony Ferguson in a five-round classic at UFC 249.

Held amid strict hygiene guidelines in a near-empty arena in Jacksonville, Florida, the event marked the first UFC broadcast since March 7.

Unaffected by the lack of an audience, the main event was a thrilling bout that saw defending-champion Ferguson battered by Gaethje for almost 25 minutes before the punishment finally became too much.

Gaethje’s fifth-round TKO victory brings Ferguson’s dominant 12-fight win-streak to an exhilarating end while also diminishing any hopes of the superfight between Ferguson and reigning lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov taking place any time soon.

Earlier, bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo defended his title with an emphatic second-round TKO victory against Dominick Cruz before announcing his shock retirement during the post-fight interview.

Other highlights from the event included Francis Ngannou knocking out Jairzinho Rozenstruik in just 20 seconds and Anthony Pettis edging out fellow-veteran Donald Cerrone in a gruelling battle.

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    Mute Kieran Fogarty
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    May 10th 2020, 10:05 AM

    Gaethje v khabib v mcgregor triple threat ladder match

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    Mute Clubhouse Barman.
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    May 10th 2020, 12:59 PM

    Ref bad stoppage with Cruz v Cejudo. When Cruz was down, none connected and he was only trying to get up.

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    Mute James O' Connor
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    May 10th 2020, 3:41 PM

    @Clubhouse Barman.: I’m also sceptical of the stoppage, but cejudo 100% connected with multiple shots when Cruz was down.

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    Mute Ryan Norris
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    May 10th 2020, 11:11 AM

    Ngannou’s punch power is ridiculous, the ufcs Deontay Wilder absolute windmill.

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    Mute Paul Jennings
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    May 10th 2020, 12:19 PM

    I hope gaethje knocks khabibs head off khabib will prob hav a excuse not to fight him shud b a cracker as gaethje is a great wrestler aswell so he shud compete with khabibs ground game

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    Mute Brendan flynn
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    May 10th 2020, 12:48 PM

    Tony Ferguson wasn’t the defending champion. Khabib is the champ at 155. Does nobody proof read these articles??

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    Mute JC
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    May 10th 2020, 1:43 PM

    @Brendan flynn: ufc pretty much has two belts in each division now with the amount of ‘interim’ belts they hand out to make main events seem more meaningful.

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    Mute ᴛᴏᴍ49
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    May 10th 2020, 2:26 PM

    @JC: interim titles are ridiculous. Delighted to see Gaethje throw his away when he was talking to Joe Rogan

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    Mute Correct Opinion
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    May 10th 2020, 3:29 PM

    @Brendan flynn: what are you on about? It’s the interim title and he was defending it. Do you proof read your comments ?

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    Mute Ardmore02
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    May 10th 2020, 4:07 PM

    @Correct Opinion: I think what he’s saying is that interim title is a load of shyte….which it is.

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    Mute Brendan flynn
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    May 10th 2020, 4:57 PM

    @Correct Opinion: what are you on about? Ferguson won the interim title before but he was stripped of it. There was no interim champ going in to last nights fight. Do some research!

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    Mute Sean Fahey
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    May 10th 2020, 2:47 PM

    Well, it looks like Khabib did it, he managed to duck the only fighter in the division with a ground game.

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    Mute Darren
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    May 10th 2020, 3:36 PM

    @Sean Fahey: Gaethje’s wrestling background is no joke. Khabib will obviously be the comfortable favourite but if Just can keep the fight in the centre of the octagon he 100% has a chance to win.

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    Mute Darren
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    May 10th 2020, 4:32 PM

    @Darren: *Justin

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    Mute Jim Lynch
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    May 10th 2020, 7:40 PM

    @Sean Fahey: he’ll have his work cut out to beat gaethje. He looked amazing last night. Can’t wait to see how it plays out when it goes to the ground, gaethje is a super wrestler

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    Mute EnKy
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    May 10th 2020, 10:18 PM

    @Sean Fahey: Jesus Sean, fancy meeting you here. You were condemning all those involved in the comments section of an article before the fight.

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    Mute Ciarán Seosamh
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    May 10th 2020, 2:58 PM

    Great main card, JG is a beast, have to feel for Tony.

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    Mute Barry Teehan
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    May 11th 2020, 1:58 AM

    Barbaric sport.

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    Mute Marcobr
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    May 10th 2020, 8:59 PM

    Serious card. No poor fight. Guys looked like they were venting frustrations with the amount of huge shots thrown. Henry leaving opens 2 divisions. Still think Tony should get first crack at Kabib, age isn’t on his side, a Justin -McGregor fight would be top billing on any card and a serious PPV draw.

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