UFC 249: Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje Result

Justin Gaethje beat Tony Ferguson in an absolute barnstormer of a main event at UFC 249.

The historic event was held behind closed doors in Jacksonville following the COVID-19 outbreak that forced the original show on April 18 to be cancelled in the first place.

But Dana White's persistence ultimately paid off in the end and after promising a violent slugfest in the headline bout, fans around the world were treated to exactly that between the duo.

Ferguson was coming into the fight on a 12-fight win streak, while Gaethje had picked up 21 victories, including 18 knockouts, from his 23 MMA fights.

And it was Gaethje, the fourth best ranked lightweight, who emerged victorious to claim the interim UFC lightweight champion and effectively become the number one contender for Khabib Nurmagomedov's title.

In the biggest fight of his career, 'The Highlight' produced a scintillating performance inside the Octagon and the stoppage came in the fifth and final round when referee Herb Dean decided the valiant Ferguson had taken enough punishment for one night.

Gaethje had the belt placed around his waist by White but took it off right away because he wanted the real strap that belongs to 28-0 Khabib, who he is desperate to face next.