Five reasons to watch UFC 254, with Khabib and Gaethje unifying the lightweight titles

K. Nurmagomedov (left) and J. Gaethje (right) unify the lightweight belt in the UFC 254. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

The big moment has arrived. After months of waiting, the fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov e Justin gaethje is closer than ever. This Saturday morning (24), at UFC 254, in Abu Dhabi, the Russian and the North American exchange forces in the clash valid for the unification of the company's lightweight belt (up to 70,3kg).

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Linear champion of the category, Khabib once again takes the lead on a card and returns to the Octagon after more than a year for another fight for the belt. The Russian also maintains an unbeaten record of 28 commitments.

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Willing to make history, Gaethje arrives at the most important performance of his career. The underdog in the duel against the Russian, the North American, who holds the interim title, wants to silence the critics again and write his name in the organization's history.

In the co-main fight, an important clash for the middleweight category (up to 83,9kg). Former group champion, Robert whittaker will face the dangerous Jared Cannonier. The winner could be the next challenger for the title of Israel adesanya, who recently defeated Paulo borrachinha.

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This weekend, Brazil will only have one representative. Alex Cowboy arrives in Abu Dhabi for his third performance of the year and will be committed to spoiling the premiere of Shavkat Rakhmonov in company.

To get in the mood, our team selected five reasons to follow the UFC 254. Check out:

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1) Unification of lightweight titles

K. Nurmagomedov (left) and J. Gaethje (right) make a last look before the UFC 254. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Linear champion of the division since 2018, Khabib will be put to the test once again. This Saturday, the Russian will face one of the most complete and dangerous fighters in the category.

Gaethje got his ticket to face the leader of the group in May, when he shocked the world and knocked out the feared Tony Ferguson, in a confrontation valid for the interim belt. Known for the aggressiveness with which he handles his challenges, Justin will have to overcome Nurmagomedov's predictable – but efficient – style to make history in the organization and unify the belt.

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Famous for his excellent wrestling, which has accumulated victims since his debut in MMA, Khabib will try to set his pace and secure yet another triumph in his victorious record. This will be the Russian's 29th appearance in the sport.

2) Khabib: one step away from eternal glory

K. Nurmagomedov in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction / Twitter @ufc

Known as one of the most efficient athletes in the recent history of the sport, Khabib is very close to establishing himself as one of the biggest names in the sport.

The fighter, however, arrives for the duel in a different scenario. The Russian went through a personal tragedy in early July, when he lost his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, to complications from Covid-19.

For those who follow Khabib's career in sport, his father was the Russian's main motivator in sport. As a coach and mentor, Abdulmanap guided his son to stardom and left a huge legacy to carry on.

For the first time without his father in his preparation, the 'Eagle' will try to reach the impressive mark of 29 consecutive victories. If he overcomes Gaethje, the Russian could overtake Jon Jones in the weight-for-weight rankings and become the best athlete among all male categories.

3) Gaethje and the chance to silence the world

K. Nurmagomedov (left) and J. Gaethje (right) have one of the most anticipated clashes in recent years. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Each and every athlete who steps into the Octagon against Khabib has the chance to make history. Faced with an opponent with a high degree of combativeness, forcefulness and fighting volume, everyone who tried failed – until now.

Unlike many, Justin relies on humility to try to overcome his opponent. A self-confessed fan of the linear champion, the North American has already publicly declared that he didn't know if he would be able to beat the Russian. Gaethje, however, never hid his desire to try.

Since running over Ferguson, Justin's popularity has increased. With a solid and efficient performance against the 'Bicho Papão', Gaethje proved that he is the most dangerous opponent for Khabib at the moment and can face one of the best in history.

With excellent wrestling and enormous power in his fists, Justin can bet on his versatility to overcome Nurmagomedov and leave Abu Dhabi with the title he's dreamed of.

4) Whittaker x Cannonier: keeping an eye on Adesanya

R. Whittaker (left) and J. Cannonier (right) face each other before the UFC 254. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Responsible for the co-main fight of the night, two of the main middleweight representatives will put themselves to the test this weekend. Former category champion, Robert whittaker tries to continue his climb towards a chance to regain his old belt.

In a great phase, Cannonier, which is already in the sights of Israel adesanya, wants to stop the former leader's momentum and reach his fourth consecutive victory. In his last performance, Jared took no notice of his rival and ran over the promising Jack hermansson, in September of last year.

Currently in first place in the group rankings, Robert will step up to the octagon without the certainty that he will receive a rematch against Israel, by whom he was defeated in October last year, and which cost him the division belt. However, a crushing victory over the North American could put him back on the company's radar for a new fight against the Nigerian.

Cannonier recently surpassed Paulo borrachinha the category ranking and took second place in the group. If he triumphs against the Australian, a chance to face the current champion will be practically guaranteed.

5) Alex Cowboy, Brazil at UFC 254

A. Cowboy (photo) will be the only Brazilian to perform at the UFC 254. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

After accepting the last minute fight, Alex Cowboy proved once again that there is no bad time to perform. This Saturday, the fighter from Três Rios (RJ) agreed to replace his compatriot Elizeu Capoeira in the duel against the debutant Shavkat Rakhmonov.

In addition to trying to ruin his opponent's party, to win, Cowboy must end his opponent's unbeaten run in his career. To date, Rakhmonov remains unbeaten in 12 MMA commitments.

Alex's phase, however, plays in his favor. The fighter moved away from a negative record of three setbacks and now has two consecutive victories. If he emerges victorious, Cowboy has already announced that he will challenge the former lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis, aiming to reach the top 15 in the welterweight division (up to 77kg.).