Ferguson defeats Cerrone via controversial TKO – ESPN

CHICAGO — What modified into once turning into a classic bout resulted in a technique nobody essentially wanted.

Tony Ferguson defeated Donald Cerrone by TKO on the tip of the second spherical Saturday at UFC 238 when it modified into once ruled by ringside medical doctors that Cerrone might perchance perchance perchance even now not proceed. Cerrone’s appropriate discover modified into once swollen shut after a dominant second spherical by Ferguson.

It modified into once a support-and-forth, bloody come across till that level between two of the most effective lightweights and most fashioned opponents on this planet.

On the tip of the second spherical at United Center, Ferguson landed a appropriate hand on Cerrone’s face after the bell. Referee Dan Miragliotta ruled after staring at replay that, although the punch landed, it did now not hit Cerrone within the discover, but the nose. Miragliotta said it which ability that of this reality modified into once now not a spoiled that straight away prompted the end and Ferguson would opt by TKO.

Had Miragliotta ruled the spoiled prompted the end, it would favor been a disqualification or no contest.

“The punch had nothing to assign with it,” Cerrone said later on. “That modified into once the strive against I judge all individuals wanted. I produce now not stop, I produce now not support down. I merely like to learn combating.”

Cerrone received the first spherical, bloodying Ferguson with laborious jabs and appropriate fingers. In the second, Ferguson took over as the physique kicks he landed within the first spherical started to add up. Ferguson landed a barrage of jabs and straight rights to bust up Cerrone’s nose and trip away him bloody. Ferguson moreover smashed Cerrone with a spinning support elbow.

The head of the spherical and the ability it performed marred what modified into once turning into one of many year’s perfect fights.

“Or now not it’s miles now not how I wanted the strive against to head,” Ferguson said. “Or now not it’s essentially emotional in right here.”

UFC president Dana White said on the postfight news conference that Cerrone modified into once transported to the sanatorium with a broken appropriate orbital bone.

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Dana White acknowledges that Tony Ferguson hit Donald Cerrone after the bell in his TKO select, but maintains “Tony received that strive against, heavenly and sq..” For extra UFC action, trace in for ESPN+ http://plus.espn.com/ufc.

Ferguson (26-3) is the somewhat obvious No. 1 contender to the gentle-weight title after the victory. However the 35-year-outdated nicknamed “El Cucuy” said he might perchance perchance perchance well be OK with a Cerrone rematch subsequent.

“We are capable of throw it support, I produce now not mind doing that,” Ferguson said. “I essentially don’t. He’s a hell of a f—ing fighter.”

Cerrone (36-12, 1 NC) had his three-strive against winning dawdle snapped with the defeat.