The UFC now has a top contender for its fight of the year.
On Friday, Justin Gaethje made his UFC debut in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale.
Gaethje fought UFC lightweight contender Michael Johnson in a fight that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
The fight started with both men landing devastating strikes. Both fighters had moments where it seemed they may be close to finishing their opponent.
In the second round, Johnson appeared to get the better of Gaethje in the beginning of the round, but as the round went on Gaethje gained momentum. Eventually, Gaethje dropped Johnson with brutal combinations of shots. He then began pummeling Johnson up against the cage, which forced the referee to step in and stop the fight.
Now undefeated with 18 wins, Gaethje has gone from being a lightweight prospect to a contender in the division.
Below, you can see how fighters reacted to the newest contender in the UFC lightweight division.
Been waiting all day for this fight #TUF25Finale @Justin_Gaethje vs @FollowTheMenace @ufc vs @ProFightLeague living up to the hype so far
— Steven Siler (@Stevesiler) July 8, 2017
SAVED BY THE BELL! #TUFFINALE
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 8, 2017
Fucking sickkk first round. #ufctuffinale
— Chris Wade (@CWadeMMA) July 8, 2017
What an insane round!!! Jesus!!! #TUFFINALE
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) July 8, 2017
What a fight! Great first round to this main event! #TUFFinale
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) July 8, 2017
Ummmm this fight is ????#Gaethje v #Johnson #TUF25
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 8, 2017
— Linton Vassell (@LDV_TheSwarm) July 8, 2017
I am on the edge of my seat! @Justin_Gaethje gives no shits. @ufc #tuf25finale
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) July 8, 2017
Leg kicks are nasty
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) July 8, 2017
WOW what a fight
— David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) July 8, 2017
Holy moly!!!
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) July 8, 2017
Wow holy fight!!! #fotn #TUFFinale
— Jessica Jag Aguilar (@jagatt) July 8, 2017
My gosh what a fight
— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) July 8, 2017
Gaethje just might be the most exciting fighter in combat sports. #savage #TUF25finale
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 8, 2017
GAETHE IS AN ANIMAL!!!!
Wow!!!!!!!!!
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) July 8, 2017
Your fight of the year is happening right NOW! #TUF25Finale #Gaethje
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) July 8, 2017
Gaethje is a nut! ??#TUFFINALE
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 8, 2017
Wowwwwwwww ????
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) July 8, 2017
Great fight ??????
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) July 8, 2017
Holy shit #tuf25
— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) July 8, 2017
Wow! That's a @ufc main event ???
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) July 8, 2017
People don't realize the amount of great fighters that have come out of #denver . They just got to see another in @Justin_Gaethje . Respect!
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) July 8, 2017
Holy mother of shit! @Justin_Gaethje is one bad ass white boy! @ufc #tuf25finale
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) July 8, 2017
MJ is going to be kicking himself later,he made 2 mistakes by holding his opp against the cage when he had him badly hurt twice! #TUFFINALE
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 8, 2017
These two guys let it hang & we were lucky to witness it for free!@Justin_Gaethje lived up to the hype & gained thousands of new fans. Wow
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) July 8, 2017
i want @Justin_Gaethje next please!! I promise I will knock him the fuck out!! @seanshelby @danawhite
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) July 8, 2017
