Gaethje stops Cerrone in the first round
The main event of UFC on ESPN+16 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada featured a lightweight bout between top contenders Justin Gaethje and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
The main event of UFC on ESPN+16 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada featured a lightweight bout between top contenders Justin Gaethje and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
Ahead of the fight, Gaethje noted how he’s altered his output to be smarter with his strikes rather that just throwing a flurry of power punches in every exchange. The strategy paid off as Gaethje was able to counter Cerrone’s jab with a series of overhand punches that were constantly finding a home.
Cerrone did his best to deal with Gaethje’s power by keeping him on the end of his straight punches but he was constantly eating the same right hand that kept coming over the top and connecting.
As Gaethje continued to ratchet up the pressure, he was landing with more and more regularity and it was clear that the damage was really beginning to mount on Cerrone.
Finally during a fiery exchange, Gaethje crushed Cerrone with another of those overhand rights followed by a flurry of uppercuts that left the WEC veteran on wobbly legs. Another right hand followed that sent Cerrone down to the canvas but referee Jerin Valel was hesitant to step into stop the contest.
source: mmafighting.com
JUSTIN GAETHJE IN THE FIRST ROUND!! 😱 #UFCVancouver pic.twitter.com/254Cg2ndmf
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) September 15, 2019
Official Result: Justin Gaethje defeated Donald Cerrone by TKO (Strikes, Round 1, 4:18)
Play-By-Play
Round 1 – Gaethje rips leg kicks to start. Crowd chants for Cowboy. Gaethje feints to get in on the inside and misses on a big right hand. Cerrone ducks onto the next one and comes back with straight punches off the leg kick. Big left hook for Gaethje in close, and he goes back to the leg. Front kick met by leg kick from Gaethje. Cerrone closes with a combo, and Gaethje pops him back. Gaethje now closing in, and he lands in the clinch before ripping the leg. They both sit down on a one-two, and Gaethje goes back to the leg. Front kicks for Cerrone, who’s still taking leg kicks. Gaethje closes and bludgeons away, but Cerrone’s guard is there. Nice body kick from Cerrone. Gaethje sticks a left hook as they both fire, and he goes back to the leg. Uppercut netting dividends for Gaethje on the inside. Nice leg kick to follow. Cerrone walks into a punch that drops him, and Gaethje lands more shots as Cerrone rights himself. Gaethje pauses as Valel closes. But there’s no stop, so Gaethje rips him a few more times with punches, and Valel steps in to close it.
source: mmajunkie.com
Social Timeline
"This kid's a stud man." #UFCVancouver pic.twitter.com/3ph2YV7r2V
— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2019
Friends 'til the end! #UFCVancouver pic.twitter.com/cXkLzA8sn0
— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2019
IT'S OVER! 😱
There is no one like @Justin_Gaethje! #UFCVancouver pic.twitter.com/MiPxc9jHUV
— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2019
IT HAPPENS NOW! 🤯
Cowboy – Gaethje only E+! #UFCVancouver pic.twitter.com/dRBbpkiXB6
— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2019