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Justin Gaethje defeated Tony Ferguson with a fifth-round technical knockout to capture the interim UFC lightweight title during UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday night.
UFC President Dana White credited Gaethje for earning the belt but questioned whether Ferguson was properly prepared for the fight.
"I don't want to take anything away from Gaethje, because he fought an incredible fight," White told reporters afterward. "But I thought Tony looked off tonight. I thought he looked slow, and I would have to imagine that cutting weight twice in a month will affect you.