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It had to be exciting as long as it lasted, and it was – but Justin Gaethje finally delivered another exciting finish, stopping Donald Cerrone in the first.
The lightweight bout was the UFC's main event on ESPN + 16 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The event was broadcast on ESPN +.
After a handful of gloves to start the night, the two men kicked Cerrone with a few punches, while Gaethje was digging in the front leg. Cerrone did his best to counter with punches, but both men were patient at first. Cerrone seemed to be the busiest man with his hands, but Gaethje retaliated with real power over huge, straight hands. Cerrone's rhythm was controlled, choosing his attack angles but Gaethje was also measured, using big hooks as the main attack.
In the last minute, as Cerrone tried to move forward, Gaethje put a big right hand on the chin, sending his opponent on his knees. Cerrone tried to stand up, but Gaethje fired a barrage of uppercuts, leaving "Cowboy" in a kneeling position again. Gaethje was clearly reluctant to hit harder than necessary, but he did just enough to make referee Jerin Valel stop the fight at 4:18 of the first round.
Gaethje (21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) now has three consecutive knockouts in the first round. Cerrone (38-13 MMA, 23-10 UFC) drops to 0-2 in his last two appearances.
The most recent UFC results on ESPN + 16 include:
Justin Gaethje def. Donald Cerrone via TKO (punches) – 1st day, 4:18
Glover Teixeira def. Nikita Krylov by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Todd Duffee vs. Jeff Hughes declared a non-contest (accidental eye poke) – Round 1, 4:03
Tristan Connelly def. Michel Pereira by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Uriah Hall def. Antonio Carlos Junior by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Misha Cirkunov def. Jim Crute via submission (Peruvian Tie) – Turn 1, 3:38
Augusto Sakai def. Marcin Tybura via knockout (fisticuffs) – Turn 1, 0:59
Miles Johns def. Cole Smith by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Hunter Azure def. Brad Katona by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Chas Skelly def. Jordan Griffin by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Louis Smolka def. Ryan MacDonald via TKO (punch) – 1st day, 4:43
Austin Hubbard def. Kyle Prepolec by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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