UFC on ESPN+ 16 Results: Who Won the Battle Between Donald Cerrone and Justin Gaethje?

The battle ended early in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 16.

In one of the more anticipated fights in recent UFC matchmaking, we saw the veteran Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone take on Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 16. Anyone hoping for a back and forth battle between two game warriors were deprived of that when Justin Gaethje landed a fight ending overhand right in round one.

Donald Cerrone worked on the outside firing off jabs with some success hoping to keep Justin Gaethje at the end of his punches. But it was Gaethje’s damaging leg kicks and fast twitch counters that eventually shut Cerrone down. Gaethje landed several leg kicks then proceeded to counter over the top of Cerrone’s jab with an overhand right, left hook combination that hit the mark on several occasions.

When it was all said and done, Justin Gaethje landed the perfect overhand right counter while moving backward, then closed the show with follow up strikes putting an end to the main event inside the first frame.

https://youtu.be/xtmf7Vk_tiQ?t=102

Post fight Justin Gaethje proceeded to shut down a potential bout against Conor McGregor instead issuing a challenge to UFC Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. It would certainly be an intriguing fight, especially considering the wrestling pedigree of Justin Gaethje coupled with his effective and brutal striking style.

To learn more about the styles of both Donald Cerrone and Justin Gaethje, take a listen to the podcast below.

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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.

Jonathan Salmon
Managing editor of Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. He has been writing about bodybuilding, combat sports, and strength sports for over 8 years. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.