Twitter reacts to Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje interim title fight at UFC 249

Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje will headline UFC 249 “somewhere on this planet” come April 18, according to Dana White.

With Khabib Nurmagomedov unable to compete because of Russia’s travel ban during the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC cobbled together Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) vs. Gaethje (21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) for the interim lightweight title, and unsurprisingly the MMA world went a little nuts.

On paper, Ferguson and Gaethje is a dream matchup. The pair have 17 fight-night bonuses between them and have put on some of the most entertaining fights in 155-pound history. Having them meet under these conditions, however, is controversial at best.

See how the MMA community digested the UFC 249 main event news with the top Twitter reactions below.

* * * *

#BREAKING: @TonyFergusonXT vs. @Justin_Gaethje for the interim lightweight title is officially signed – even though #UFC249 still does not have an official location.

Full story: https://t.co/XzvmhikvW2 pic.twitter.com/V6AyR955YH

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) April 6, 2020

Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title on April 18 is signed, per Dana White. Location still TBD. Fight will headline UFC 249. As reported last night, they‘ve zeroed on a location on the west coast of the US to hold this event & hope to finalize ASAP.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 6, 2020

At TUF Finale 22: Khabib/Ferguson 1 became Ferguson/Barboza

At UFC on Fox: Khabib/Ferguson 2 became Khabib/Horcher

At UFC 209: Khabib/Ferguson 3 No Fight

At UFC 223: Khabib/Ferguson 4 became Khabib/Iaquinta

At UFC 249: Khabib/Ferguson 5 became Ferguson/Gaethje#UFC249

— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) April 6, 2020

#ohshit 🔥 https://t.co/JBUvCkTAKy

— Eddie Bravo (@eddiebravo) April 6, 2020

I was https://t.co/kw5ajjWDnW

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) April 6, 2020

Me and conor at 170 then?

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) April 6, 2020

Unfortunate we don’t get the Ferguson/khabib but This is still going to be 🔥🔥🔥 #UFC249 https://t.co/dyo1tCaylQ

— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) April 6, 2020

Oooooooh! See ya live from somewhere April 18! https://t.co/jVXeiKUoIp

— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) April 6, 2020

#Repost from @ufc
.
STRAP IN. 🏆 #UFC249 https://t.co/yA4QRcrluX

— Mick Maynard (@Mickmaynard2) April 6, 2020

Why #UFC249 is a bad idea:

– Immunocompromised: Weight-cut & post-fight.
– Transfer of bodily fluids with opponent/corner.
– No mandatory testing/quarantine.
– Travel in populated spaces.
– Taking medical professionals away from patients in need.
– Opposite of current protocols.

— Alex Scaffidi (@alexscaffidi_) April 6, 2020

First, @TonyFergusonXT should have waited for @TeamKhabib cuz that’s the fight people truly want. Second, @TeamKhabib should feel disrespected by the @ufc and Interim title. Tony deserves title shot but not this way, again. PPV when everyone wondering about their next paycheck 🙄 https://t.co/UR8Hh7Ms6S

— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) April 6, 2020

After all this, we won’t get the best of either guy. When most of the world is stressed about their next paycheck the ufc is dropping a fight on PPV that people will want to see but not the one they actually saved up for. https://t.co/RbA50viXql

— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) April 6, 2020

AMAZING FIGHT FOR FIGHT FANS! …. THOUGHTS? https://t.co/nJ0YfWKADk

— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) April 6, 2020

Well, alright then.

— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) April 6, 2020

Justin Gaethje's 8.57 sig strikes per minute rate is the highest in #UFC history among competitors with at least five fights, but he has also allowed his opponents to land 9.67 against him. The fight against Tony Ferguson should be wild. #UFC249

— Richard Mann (@RichardAMann) April 6, 2020

whoa. #UFC249 https://t.co/YWgLVfL8Jw

— Brendan Fitzgerald (@BrendanFitzTV) April 6, 2020

By the way, Tony should 100% be fighting for a belt no matter what. The LW division can handle 2 titles.

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 6, 2020

Real man shit right here. Go get yourself some, @Justin_Gaethje. #ufc249 #forthepeople https://t.co/98AQSxXoiJ

— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) April 6, 2020

Sad it isn’t Khabib vs Tony but happy we get some fighting still https://t.co/felcjOkPsu

— Ethereum is on fire (@Benaskren) April 6, 2020

Wow so @TheNotoriousMMA gotta sit and wait for a while. Otherwise who will he fight? @NateDiaz209 https://t.co/CyBsO87jnj

— Ethereum is on fire (@Benaskren) April 6, 2020

so we all gonna ignore the fact Khabob ran away from the fight 🙄

— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) April 6, 2020