American MMA fighter Tony Ferguson has lost to Justin Gaethje in the fifth round of their match for the UFC interim lightweight championship in Florida. The defeat was the first for El Cucuy in 8 years after 12 successful fights.
While Ferguson managed to drop his opponent in the second round, Gaethje managed to preserve the lead, and with only 90 seconds remaining until the end of the fifth round, he hit Ferguson with a left jab right to the nose. He then proceeded to land a series of blows, and referee Herb Dean had to stop the fight, declaring Gaethje the winner.
The victory makes possible a match between Gaethje and Russian fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, who has already commented on the outcome of UFC 249, congratulating the winner.
Following the match, however, Gaethje dropped his belt on the floor, stating he "wait for the real one".