Justin Gaethje Earns Vicious One Punch Knockout Over James Vick, Calls for Tony Ferguson Next
Justin Gaethje needed just 87 seconds and one jaw-dropping right hand to finish James Vick in the main event from UFC Fight Night in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Following two losses in a row — the first losses of his career — Gaethje was determined to get back on track when he stepped into his latest main event matchup.
Meanwhile, Vick was launching quite the verbal offensive leading into the card, constantly badgering Gaethje with insults and taking shots at what he believed was a padded record.
While he didn’t mind engaging in the war of words, Gaethje preferred to answer everything Vick had to say with his performance inside the Octagon.
As the fight got underway, Vick maintained his range by using a long reach to keep Gaethje on the end of several stiff kicks during the opening exchange.
As it turns out, Gaethje was just biding his time as he found a way to push forward with his aggressive style while forcing Vick backwards towards the cage.
Once he had the Texas native backed up with nowhere to go, Gaethje unleashed a left hook that just missed followed by an overhand right that landed like a missile landing on is target.
The punch connected with such force that Vick was knocked out instantaneously while the momentum from the strike planted him face first on the canvas.
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As the referee rushed into stop the carnage, Gaethje jumped up to celebrate as he returns to the win column while taking very little damage this time around and earning a first round knockout.
“This game is unforgiving. That could easily be me right now. This is what we do,” Gaethje said. “I’m the least fake person in this sport. I take everything he said personally, and I’m happy I put him to sleep.”
More than anything else, Gaethje was just happy to get back to his winning ways following the back-to-back losses to Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier.
While it sounds like he’ll gladly face whoever the UFC puts in front of him, Gaethje did mention at least one name that would definitely interest him for his next fight.
“I don’t care who I fight. I’ll take Tony Ferguson next,” Gaethje said. “That’s for damn sure. I’d love to fight him.”
Of course, Ferguson is tied up with his fight against Anthony Pettis at UFC 229 but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t face Gaethje in the future.
Gaethje has now moved his overall UFC record to 2-2 but he arguably looked better than ever with this latest performance as he stops Vick inside the first round. No matter who he faces next, it’s likely Gaethje will be looking for yet another bonus to add onto his growing collection.
