Tony Ferguson earned a second-round TKO win against Anthony Pettis in a brutal slugfest in the pair’s lightweight co-main event at UFC 229, before calling out Conor McGregor.
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Appearing for the first time since being stripped of the interim lightweight belt and having knee surgery, Ferguson rode some massive blows from Pettis as the pair produced a stunning fight at the T-Mobile Arena.
With both fighters bleeding heavily, Pettis’ corner called an end to the fight before the start of the third, with Pettis reportedly having suffered a broken hand.
It was a truncated end to what had been a thrilling fight that ebbed back and forth, with neither fighter holding back.
Ferguson, 34, edged an action-packed first round before Pettis rocked him at the start of the second with some big shot.
However, ‘El Cucuy’ gained valuable respite when the referee called a halt to proceedings to check a cut from Pettis – allowing Ferguson the breather he needed.
Ferguson used his chance and stepped up his authority, closing the round stronger on top as he pummeled his lower-ranked opponent with big blows.
Pettis’ corner wisely stopped their man from going out in the third – handing an emotional Ferguson a win on his return to action and moving his record to 24-3 – including an 11-figth win streak.
After the bout, Ferguson called out Irishman Conor McGregor in an expletive-filled interview, saying: "I want McGregor, if Khabib doesn’t finish him tonight, then I’m going to be the one who does it."