11. Eddie Alvarez vs. Justin Gaethje
This match always looked like a thriller on paper between two big finishers. It proved to be just that as they went blow-for-blow looking for another highlight-reel victory. Alvarez’s frequent bodywork and Gaethje’s chopping leg kicks were each taking a respective toll.
The high pace left Gaethje breathing heavily in the second round but still putting everything into his strikes. There was a wild exchange at the end of the stanza as ‘The Highlight’ fell off-balance and did a backward roll only to be greeted by a kick to the face as he stood up. Gaethje then launched into a flying knee himself as the bell sounded.
In the third round, Alvarez sported a huge contusion to his right cheek and Gaethje’s leg kicks were causing real problems. But his combinations were still crisp. And with barely a minute left he blasted ‘The Highlight’ with a big knee to the jawline that sent Gaethje slumping to the mat, handing him his first-ever loss by knockout.
