UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje

About UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje

UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje was a compelling mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on May 9, 2020, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. This event was significant as it was one of the first major sports events to take place after widespread shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The main event was a fierce championship bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje for the interim Lightweight title.

Making/Production

UFC 249 was originally planned to happen in Brooklyn, New York, but due to the pandemic, it got postponed and the location was altered to Jacksonville, Florida. The tournament was executed without any physical audience to maintain safety protocols, setting a new precedent for sports events amidst a pandemic.

Actors

• Justin Gaethje: Played himself. Known for his poignant strikes, Justin took the match by storm and delivered a knockout performance, winning the interim Lightweight title.
• Tony Ferguson: Played himself. Despite his aggressive approach and resilience, he was unable to best Gaethje in the match.

Trivia/Interesting Facts

• It was the first event UFC held in Jacksonville after a span of 16 years.
• The event took place without a live audience due to the pandemic restrictions, a first in UFC's history.
• The bout saw a shift in fighting strategies due to the lack of an audience, with fighters being able to hear their corner's instructions more clearly.

Quotes

• Justin Gaethje after his win: “I knew I was a killer stepping in here. No better drug on Earth. Adrenaline coursing through my veins."
• Tony Ferguson: “I prepared for Khabib; not too much of a striker. But s**t happens, man.”

Music, Soundtrack

As UFC 249 was a sports event, there wasn't a specific soundtrack associated with it. However, popular tracks such as "The Boys are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy and "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor were played during intervals and highlights.