UFC 216 results: Tony Ferguson triangles Kevin Lee to win interim lightweight title

The marquee matchup of UFC 216 saw Tony Ferguson score a 3rd round triangle submission over Kevin Lee to become the UFC’s new interim lightweight champion. Lee had his moments throughout, dropping Ferguson early and scoring multiple takedowns, but Ferguson’s cardio held up much better, and he was able to lock up a sub from the bottom. Will the newly crowned interim champ Tony Ferguson have a unification bout with Conor McGregor next?

Main Card:

Tony Ferguson def. Kevin Lee by submission at 4:02 of round 3: Interim Lightweight Title

Lee lead off with a high kick, as Ferguson opened up with some of his classic funk. Lee dropped Ferguson with a jab, but got right back up and dropped Lee with a heavy hook. Ferguson found himself on the bottom of Lee, eating some hard knees to the body. Lee was able to control Ferguson, and transitioned into full mount with all sorts of ground and pound as the round came to a close.

The lightweights went tit for tat throughout the second stanza, with each man having their moments. Ferguson started landing his straight strikes towards the end of the 2nd, appearing to settle in.

Lee appeared to be a bit fatigued to start the 3rd round, but mustard up a big takedown against the cage. Ferguson did a sound job of tying up Lee, to the point where Lee chose to back out of top position. Lee earned another takedown, but Ferguson locked up a really tight armbar. Somehow, Lee managed to step over and escape the tight submission, just to fall into a Ferguson triangle. Ferguson pulled down on the head, and Lee tried to endure it, but the squeeze was just too much, and Lee was forced to tap.

Watch these warriors exchange knockdowns: