Gaethje upsets Ferguson to clinch UFC interim lightweight belt

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Justin Gaethje just won the biggest fight of his career.

Mixing up his offensive approach, Gaethje took down the favorite Tony Ferguson after scoring a technical knockout at the 3:39 mark of the fifth round.

Gaethje was all over Ferguson from the start of the match until the final minutes, firing heavy leg kicks that forced Ferguson into uncomfortable positions.

The leg kicks were effective enough to delay Ferguson’s offensive set-ups and Gaethje mixed it up with a much improved striking game, hitting Ferguson with right hands that caused the former interim champ to wobble in the later rounds.

Ferguson came to life at the clutch seconds of the second round after dropping Gaethje with a monstrous uppercut but the onslaught was survived by Gaethje after being saved by the bell.

It was a slugfest in the next rounds but Gaethje hit Ferguson numerous times with his well-timed jabs that caused Ferguson’s legs to shake.

Referee Herb Dean then jumped in to halt the fight late in the last round after Gaethje hit Ferguson with another jab.

“I’m waiting for the real one. I knew I was a killer stepping in here. I’m good bro. No better drug on earth than adrenaline coursing through my veins,” said Gaethje.