The 36-year-old also later posted a selfie from his hospital bed alongside his wife, showing off the broken orbital bone he suffered against Gaethje.
Despite showing a lack of sportsmanship immediately after his first ever TKO loss – “El Cucuy” was seen shoving new interim champion Gaethje after the victor attempted to shake hands post-fight, to which Gaethje said “being an a****** will get you nowhere” – Ferguson congratulated “The Highlight” Gaethje in another tweet.
“Bushido Code brought sports back [with] class #WayOfTheWarrior. Win or lose, always act like a champion. Just wasn’t my night #UFC249. Congrats Justin Gaethje on a good fight,” said Ferguson, who was on a 12-fight win streak. Attached was a photo of his clean second-round upper cut against Gaethje, which in the moment caused many to think the fight was nearly over.
The 31-year-old Gaethje (22-2), who is now on a four-fight win streak, took the fight on short notice after lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov pulled out last month because of logistical complications from the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
“The Highlight” is guaranteed a title fight against Nurmagomedov later this year, per White.
Gaethje posted the same photo on his Instagram with the caption, “Till next time my friends. Face your fears. #UFC249”.
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