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Justin Gaethje did it again.
The lightweight division’s human highlight reel needed less than a round to knock out Edson Barboza on Saturday night, downing Barboza with a monstrous right hand in the main event of UFC Philadelphia. The win gave Gaethje back-to-back first-round knockouts following his similar destruction of James Vick, and thurst the former WSOF champion back into the title picture at 155 pounds.
Check out reaction to Gaethje’s handiwork below, plus the best of the rest from a roller-coaster night at UFC Philadelphia.
JUSTIN GAETHJE DEF. EDSON BARBOZA
That was well done all the way through.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 31, 2019
Congratulations Justin.
I started a trend
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) March 31, 2019
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) March 31, 2019
Ain’t no one like Gaethje. What a fuckin savage.
— Bryce Mitchell (@ThugnastyMMA) March 31, 2019
We have our selfs a new contender. Lightweight just got super confusing. #UFCPhiladelhpia
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) March 31, 2019
Gaethje is a total badass! Fucking highlight! #UFCPhiladelpha
— BRYAN BARBERENA (@bryan_barberena) March 31, 2019
Ohhhhh myyyy gawwddd!!
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) March 31, 2019
I can't even right now!! For as short as that fight was, it certainly delivered!!
Gaethje is a BEAST!! #UFCPhiladelphia https://t.co/qwjQnJG0ox
Holy Shit what a RD What a fight vicious finish @ufc #UFCPhiladelphia
— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) March 31, 2019
Is Gaethje the lightweight yoel romero? made of STEEL! #UFCPhiladelphia
— Joe Joe Giannetti (@Giannettimma) March 31, 2019
He’s the god damn terminator https://t.co/IuSC4wIClM
— Austin Arnett (@AustinArnettMMA) March 31, 2019
Well well well that was crazyyyy for all 2 and half minutes... @Justin_Gaethje is a beast and the worst match up for anyone with that wrestling is he doesn’t need to use... #UFCPhiladelhpia
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) March 31, 2019
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) March 31, 2019
Holy shit! Justin is a beast! #UFCPhilly
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) March 31, 2019
@Justin_Gaethje is a freak! #UFCPhiladelhpia
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) March 31, 2019
Aaaaaammmmaaaaazzzzing!!! @Justin_Gaethje that was wild! Congrats #UFCPhiladelphia
— Tatiana Suarez (@TSPMMA115) March 31, 2019
He’s not human. He’s like a piece of iron. CONGRATS @Justin_Gaethje #UFCPhiladelhpia
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) March 31, 2019
what a main event!!! #UFCPhiladelphia
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) March 31, 2019
wowwww @Justin_Gaethje !!! what a fight!! #UFCPhiladelhpia
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 31, 2019
This guy is a Real Gangster
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) March 31, 2019
I dont anticipate anyone will be raising their hand to fight Justin Gaethje, like the teacher asked a question everyone knew the answer to. Utter silence and phones sent to voicemail . That boy a savage ! #UFCPHILLY
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 31, 2019
@Justin_Gaethje my dude!!! @ONXSports @ufc #UFCPhilly
— Max Griffin (@maxPAINmma) March 31, 2019
Great fight for a non mma fan to see. Matchmaking has been awesome for the @espn cards.
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) March 31, 2019
@Justin_Gaethje is a legend.
— éS (@EricSpicely) March 31, 2019
Man Justin and showtime would be
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 31, 2019
Gaethje is a fighter that is all for the fans. If you dislike him or badmouth him, you’re truly not a fan of the sport. #UFCPhiladelhpia
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) March 31, 2019
JACK HERMANSSON DEF. DAVID BRANCH
He’s legit #ufcphiladelphia
— Tatiana Suarez (@TSPMMA115) March 31, 2019
That was impressive
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) March 31, 2019
Jack just subbed out a high level black belt. Wow #UFCPhiladelhpia
That guillotine set up from Hermansson is a personal fave of mine! #ufcphiladelphia
— Joe Joe Giannetti (@Giannettimma) March 31, 2019
What in Tarnations !!! How did that just happen to #DaveBranch that fast ? #UFCPhiladelhpia
— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) March 31, 2019
Wow didn’t see that coming ♂️ #UFCPhiladelhpia
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) March 31, 2019
That’s was fast #UFCPhiladelpha
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) March 31, 2019
@jackthejokermma with that kind of submission that makes ya water flow... The set up was beautiful #UFCPhiladelhpia #Guillotine
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) March 31, 2019
JOSH EMMETT DEF. MICHAEL JOHNSON
Damn Walkoff
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) March 31, 2019
He don’t even kno he was out. Damn son.
— Bryce Mitchell (@ThugnastyMMA) March 31, 2019
Holy moly #UFCPhiladelphia
— Tatiana Suarez (@TSPMMA115) March 31, 2019
That was a scary KO by @JoshEmmettUFC #UFCPhiladelhpia
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) March 31, 2019
Heck of a win by @JoshEmmettUFC. Congratulations!
— Ryan Hall (@ryanhall5050) March 31, 2019
I literally felt everyone in the arena jump to its feet when Emmett landed that punch. That was crazy. #UFCPhiladelhpia
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) March 31, 2019
Wow! Emmet got some power! #UFCPhilly
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) March 31, 2019
@JoshEmmettUFC yes!!! Sick knockout brotha!! Sactown baby! @ufc #UFCPhilly
— Max Griffin (@maxPAINmma) March 31, 2019
JOSH EMMETT! #ufcphiladelphia pic.twitter.com/blZjIyhTY1
— Joe Joe Giannetti (@Giannettimma) March 31, 2019
Oh damn. #Stiffed #UFCPhiladelphia @UFCFightPass
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) March 31, 2019
Always respect the power taunting your opponent doesn’t always pan out and is dangerous and that’s why
— Terrion Flash Ware (@flashmma) March 31, 2019
That was a nasty KO
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) March 31, 2019
Emmett right hand has to be broken if not, then he has steal hands #UFCPhiladelhpia
I love @FollowTheMenace he’s a real one, congrats to @JoshEmett way to come back through adversity and make it happen! @ufc
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) March 31, 2019
MICHELLE WATERSON DEF. KAROLINA KOWALKIEWICZ
Great fight by both ladies! @karatehottiemma @KarolinaMMA this is why fans love women’s mma! ❤️ #CyborgNation @ufc #UFCPhiladelhpia
— BEKENI Batwa Pygmy A.K.A. Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) March 31, 2019
Damn. @karatehottiemma just showed up and put on a hell of a performance! Was hoping one of those spinning heel kicks would land!Congrats girl
— Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) March 31, 2019
Wow what an amazing fight of @karatehottiemma vs @KarolinaMMA this @ufc
— Cindy Dandois (@DandoisCindy) March 31, 2019
Spinning armbar from side control. That’s a classic. #ThugjitsuThoughts
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) March 31, 2019
No tap zone ! Ouch #UFCPhilly
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 31, 2019
@karatehottiemma looked great tonight. Congrats. #UFCPhilaldelphia
— Scott Holtzman (@HotSauceHoltzy) March 31, 2019
Great technique @karatehottiemma on a roll! Get that gold!
— Mark Coleman (@Markcolemanmma) March 31, 2019
Amazing performance by @karatehottiemma #UFCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/v2uRLocV1G
— Joe Joe Giannetti (@Giannettimma) March 31, 2019
Who makes your heart melt more karate hotties daughter or max Holloway’s son lol (in a non abducted in plain sight way) #UFCPhiladelpha
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 31, 2019
@karatehottiemma .... you never cease to amaze me. I’m so proud I could never explain. Awesome job! Awesome performance! So well deserved!!!! Yeah baby!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/TNdiwye4gx
— Holly Holm (@HollyHolm) March 31, 2019
No no no no sorry, but the real contender fight is @TSPMMA115 vs @NinaAnsaroff @danawhite @ufc
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) March 31, 2019
PAUL CRAIG DEF. KENNEDY NZECHUKWU
This fight is weird as shit!!!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) March 31, 2019
omg paul craig with another last minute submission!! #UFCPhiladelhpia wow!!
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 31, 2019
Paul Craig!!!! Hahahahaah this guy is hysterical, literally cracks me up!!! #UFCPhiladelphia
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) March 31, 2019
Never count out the “Bear Jew”! I said it on the podcast too! He’s crafty off his back! #UFCPhiladelphia
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) March 31, 2019
That was a quick tap once he got that triangle sunk in #ufcphiladelphia
— Tatiana Suarez (@TSPMMA115) March 31, 2019
Super slick.
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) March 31, 2019
Slick triangle! Great comeback win
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) March 31, 2019
THAT JIU JITSU #ufcphiladelphia
— Joe Joe Giannetti (@Giannettimma) March 31, 2019
People talk about “low fight IQ”, like they know what they’re talking about, a lot. If you wanna see some terrible “fight IQ”, I would say this is it!
— Chas Skelly (@ChasSkelly) March 31, 2019
The bear jew lol amazing alias as well
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) March 31, 2019
SODIQ YUSUFF DEF. SHEYMON MORAES
Let’s go my friend @sheymonmoraes #UFCPhiladelphia #UFCnoCombate
— Thiago Marreta (@TMarretaMMA) March 30, 2019
So proud of my brother @Super_Sodiq! Fought a super tough and skilled guy and went out there and did the damn thing!!#Repost @Super_Sodiq
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) March 31, 2019
• • • • •
Chapter 2 https://t.co/35K6gavdlN
JESUS!! Respect to Moraes for seeing the final bell!! Hell of a third round for Yusuff
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) March 30, 2019
great fight!! think that knockdown nicked it #UFCPhiladelpha
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 30, 2019
That was a very great performance by both fighters. Both had really good offensive and defensive techniques. Congrats @Super_Sodiq on your victory #UFCPhiladelpha
— Tatiana Suarez (@TSPMMA115) March 30, 2019
Poll
Whose UFC Philadelphia performance stood out the most to you?
This poll is closed
-
72%
Justin Gaethje def. Edson Barboza
(1198 votes) -
13%
Jack Hermansson def. David Branch
(221 votes) -
6%
Josh Emmett def. Michael Johnson
(100 votes) -
5%
Michelle Waterson def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
(92 votes) -
2%
Paul Craig def. Kennedy Nzechukwu
(37 votes) -
0%
Sodiq Yusuff def. Sheymon Moraes
(7 votes)
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