One of the most anticipated fights of 2019 lived up to the hype, as Justin Gaethje knocked out Edson Barboza in the first round of their main event bout at UFC Fight Night in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Gaethje (20-2), with Barboza up against the fence, landed a hard right hook that immediately sent his opponent to the mat. Referee Keith Peterson immediately jumped in to signal the bout was over at 2 minutes, 30 seconds.
The win was Gaethje’s second in a row following a first-round KO of James Vick last August. Barboza (20-8) lost his third fight in his past four matchups.
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Justin Gaethje describes what he has overcome in his career after his big knockout win over Edson Barboza at UFC Fight Night.
“This is the toughest sport on Earth,” Gaethje said. “I just love it. It’s one at a time for me. On to the next one. There are five or six guys in front of me I want.
“I wouldn’t recommend this sport to my worst enemy,” Gaethje continued. “I was raised to do this. I will do this ’til the wheels fall off.”