James Vick mocked Justin Gaethje in the buildup to their UFC Lincoln main event on Saturday night, repeatedly calling him “The Homer Simpson of MMA.”
If that’s the case, it turns out Homer Simpson can crack.
The former World Series of Fighting lightweight champion reminded everyone on Saturday night that he’s still got plenty of miles left on the tires. Gaethje went right to his bread and butter and knocked Vick out with a wicked overhand right to earn a victory in the main event at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The time of the stoppage was 1:27 of the opening round of the lightweight matchup.
“I am the least fake person in this sport, I take everything personal, I take everything he said personal, and I’m glad I put him to sleep,” Gaethje said.
Vick appeared to be getting off to his preferred pace in the early going, as he used his length and range advantage to keep Gaethje at bay with body shots. And while they landed hard, they also forced Gaethje to do what he does best: Move forward, absorb punishment if you must, and hit harder than your opponent.
That he did, as the Arizona native landed a left, then dished out his monstrous overhand right, which caused Vick to drop to the mat in an awkward manner along the fence and deliver Gaethje the win.
The win came at a pivotal juncture in Gaethje’s career. Each of this three previous fights in the UFC were Fight of the Year candidates, but he lost the last two, to Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier. Gaethje knew the importance of Saturday night’s bout.
“I prepared for a fight,” Gaethje (19-2) said. “I prepared for 25 minutes every single time I come in here … I take punches I’m going forward and I’m not going to take punches going backwards. who’s next?”
Vick (13-2) had a four-fight win streak snapped with the defeat.
