A key lightweight bout between perennial division contenders Edson Barboza and Justin Gaethje headlined tonight’s UFC Philadelphia event.
The former World Series of Fighting lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje, enters tonight’s main event looking to build off the momentum of his first-round knockout victory over James Vick this past August at UFC Lincoln.
Meanwhile, Edson Barboza was last seen in action at December’s UFC event in Milwaukee, where he scored a third-round TKO victory over Dan Hooker.
Round one of the UFC Philadelphia main event begins and Gaethje lands a pair of hard low kicks to start. Both men with heavy low kicks now. Barboza with a right hand followed by head kick. Gaethje responds with a combination that rocks Edson Barboza. Justin chases after his wounded opponent and presses him against the cage. This is giving Edson a chance to recover. Barboza breaks free and lands a kick to the body. He lands another. Gaethje charges in with punches and Barboza answers with a flurry of his own. Both men are throwing caution to the wind here. Barboza with a hard low kick and then another. Gaethje continues to walk forward and lands a right hand that sends Barboza crashing to the floor. It is all over!
Official UFC Philadelphia Result: Justin Gaethje KO’s Edson Barboza in Round 1