JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tony Ferguson has been claiming he’s the “real” lightweight champion ahead of UFC 249, and he tried to make that point again during his faceoff with Justin Gaethje.
After both men successfully made weight Friday for their interim title headliner, Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) and Gaethje (21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) had their lone faceoff ahead of fight night.
Ferguson carried the interim 155-pound belt he was previously stripped of to the faceoff, holding it over his left shoulder for the photo-op. Gaethje didn’t protest, showing the same respect toward “El Cucuy” that he’s displayed since the bout was announced.
Now all that’s left is for the pair to fight in what UFC president Dana White has “guaranteed” to be an action-packed affair.
Watch the Ferguson vs. Gaethje faceoff video above.
UFC 249 takes place Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
