Justin Gaethje got a quick first-round knockout victory over Donald Cerrone in the main event of UFC Vancouver.
While the BMF belt will be fought for at UFC 244, it’s hard to argue that the main event at UFC Vancouver didn’t deserve a belt of its own. Donald Cerrone has been a fan favorite in the UFC/WEC for more than a decade and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down.
Although he suffered a loss in his most recent bout, “Cowboy” was 3-1 in his last four fights, earning a Performance of the Night or Fight of the Night bonus in each bout. His battle with Justin Gaethje was the fifth fight in a little more than 10 months, continuing his trend of keeping busy.
Gaethje knows a thing or two about POTN/FOTN bonuses, too. The former WSOF lightweight champion has earned such a bonus in each of his five career UFC bouts before UFC Vancouver, tallying a 3-2 record. The 30-year-old answered his first career losing streak with a couple of victories. He did so in impressive fashion as well, knocking out both James Vick and Edson Barboza in the first round.
Round 1: Gaethje opened up with his patented leg-kicks early. Gaethje was throwing heavy early, while Cowboy looked to be trying to find the distance. Cowboy was on his bike trying to jab, while Gaethje was landing many big right hands. Gaethje landed a left hook that staggered Cowboy, however, Cowboy would recover. Gaethje would follow up a minute later with a right hook that dropped Cowboy, he would follow up with big ground and pound that ended the fight.
Cowboy would jump to his feet to protest the decision, but if anything it appeared to be stopped too late.
Y se acaba!!! Justin vence a Cowboy por TKO en round 1! #UFCVancouver pic.twitter.com/LcEBVAmqqS
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) September 15, 2019
Justin Gaethje’s last three fights have been amazing knockout victories over some of the best the UFC has to offer. One has to think that he’s put his name on the shortlist of possible title contenders for the champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Result: Justin Gaethje def. Donald Cerrone via TKO (4:18) of Round Three
