'Savages': UFC fighter's post-match photo stuns combat world
Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler put on one of the all-time UFC classic fights on the weekend and a photo of the pair in hospital has stunned fans.
Gaethje won a decision against Chandler in one of the most insane and enthralling bouts in recent memory.
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The talk between the pair before the bout was about which fighter would back down first.
And in an incredible show of bravery and heart, Gaethje and Chandler stood toe-to-toe for three rounds and traded bombs.
In a beautiful moment both Chandler and Gaethje embraced each other after the fight as fans in Madison Square Garden offered a standing ovation.
Following the fight, Gaethje and Chandler skipped the post-fight press conference and were transported to hospital due to the damage taken.
And in a touching moment in combat sport, Gaethje posted a photo of the pair smiling in hospital.
Justin Gaethje posted a photo of him and Michael Chandler from the hospital after their war at #UFC268
(via @Justin_Gaethje) pic.twitter.com/TC5etzSByR— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 7, 2021
Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler take a photo at the hospital together after beating the sh*t out of each other for 15 minutes at #UFC268 tonight.
From Justin’s IG pic.twitter.com/SGpS4jfAMN— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) November 7, 2021
Both Gaethje and Chandler off to hospital.
Both refused any assistance (stretcher, crutches etc)
Gaethje even tried to get in the same ambulance as Chandler and asked if he was alright.
Proper.#UFC268— Adam Catterall (@AdamCatterall) November 7, 2021
Add the Justin Gaethje/Michael Chandler photo to the louvre with Jones/Gus and Lawler/MacDonald pic.twitter.com/jda7YFoBdh
— Jimmy Clarke (@JimmyClarke__) November 7, 2021
Michael Chandler & Justin Gaethje adding to the legendary post-fight hospital photo album. #UFC268 pic.twitter.com/kgwK0tSfnE
— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) November 7, 2021
What. A. Fight.
Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler just put on a SHOW to start #UFC268.
(via @UFC) pic.twitter.com/JKo70jGPax— The Swing of Things (@SOTSports) November 7, 2021
Gaethje-Chandler is Fight of the Year-level stuff. Unreal from those two. The pace, the shots each took. It feels impossible that a fight that was as hyped as this one would actually reach expectations, but I think it might have exceeded them.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) November 7, 2021
Wow that was crazy! These two are savages! Gaethje and Chandler #UFC268
— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) November 7, 2021
Reporter Adam Catterall also reported Gaethje went to check on Chandler as he was entering the ambulance before the trip.
Gaethje and Chandler will surely be one of the top candidates to take out UFC Fight of the Year.
Another contender could be Alexander Volkanovski's victory over Brian Ortega a few weeks earlier.
UFC main card stuns with action
Earlier on the preliminary card, UFC heavyweight Chris Barnett delivered one of the most unique victories the sport has ever seen, matched only by the 35-year-old's wild in-ring celebration.
Barnett stopped veteran Gian Villante in the second round at UFC 268, dropping his opponent with a beautifully timed roundhouse kick.
The kick belied Barnett's somewhat ungainly stature, with the devastating shot allowing him to move in and finish the fight as Villante desperately tried to protect his head.
Then Barnett delivered the biggest highlight: an incredible frontflip, somehow improved by the fact that he landed on his butt.
The kick, the victory and the celebration left UFC fans absolutely gobsmacked on social media, with the sequence of events enough to bring a smile to the face of even the most hardcore fight fans.
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