Justin Gaethje emphatically ended a two-fight losing streak at UFC Lincoln on Saturday, as the UFC lightweight contender scored a stunning one-punch knockout of rival James Vick in the main event.
Gaethje needed just under 90 seconds to dispatch Vick, a fighter who came into the bout on a 9-1 UFC record. Known as one of the division’s hardest hitters, Gaethje connected with a left hook just before a vicious right hand evaded Vick’s defenses and sent him sprawling face first to the canvas.
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Vick was in visible discomfort after the bout as he came to following the knockout. At one point it appeared that he attempted to perform a takedown on Gaethje after the fight as the victor approached Vick to offer commiserations.
Gaethje’s win moves his career record to 19-2 and resurrects his status as a top contender in the UFC’s lightweight division. Vick, meanwhile, falls to 13-2.
Elsewhere on the card, Michael Johnson won a close split decision against Andre Fili and Mickey Gall got back to winning ways, scoring a rear naked choke win against George Sullivan.
Thank you to everyone that had my back. I do it for you! 👊💪
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) August 26, 2018
OH MY GOD!!! JUSTIN GAETHJE WITH PERHAPS THE KNOCK OUT OF THE YEAR!!!
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) August 26, 2018
Vick just melted the way only a tall man can. Gaethje with the giraffe-killer
— King Typo (@BoxingBusch) August 26, 2018
As if MMA Twitter couldn't love Justin Gaethje enough, he delivers a bonkers KO, admits reveling in his opponent's unconsciouness, calls out the boogeyman, and then jokes about fighting the in-cage interviewer. He's built for this.
— Eric Jackman (@NewYorkRic) August 26, 2018
As proof of how God-like he is, Justin Gaethje just gave us the KO of the Year and put an early end to this endless night. I love that man so much
— Dr. Jed Meshew II (@JedKMeshew) August 26, 2018
Gaethje made a huge adjustment following two straight losses. In order to not take so much damage, just wipe your opponent out in under two minutes.
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) August 26, 2018
Justin Gaethje has been awarded the 5th fight-night bonus of his UFC career. He has four octagon appearances. A cool extra $ 250,000. #UFCLincoln
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) August 26, 2018
Every time Justin Gaethje steps into the cage, there’s a likelihood you’ll be seeing Fight of the Year or, in this instance, a potential KO of the Year. What a man. #UFCLincoln
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) August 26, 2018
