K. Nurmagomedov gets emotional after victory in UFC 254. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Exciting! In the main fight of UFC 254, held this Saturday (24), in Abu Dhabi, Khabib Nurmagomedov made history and unified the lightweight belt (up to 70,3kg.) in the fight against Justin gaethje. After a perfect strategy, the Russian achieved a submission, erasing the North American with a triangle in the second round. After the confrontation, in tears, the champion announced his retirement from MMA.
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The duel meant a lot to Khabib and his team. This weekend, the athlete performed for the first time without the training of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who died in early July, a victim of complications from Covid-19. When submitting his rival, the Russian couldn't contain himself and cried a lot in the octagon.
After beating Gaethje, in an interview still in the Octagon, Nurmagomedov took off his gloves, announced his retirement and assured that without his father there is no point in continuing to perform.
“I don’t see how I can continue without my father. I hit Gatehje despite my mother's refusal. But I had a commitment to keep. That was my last fight”, said the 'Eagle'.
If the idea of hanging up his gloves remains official, the Russian will leave the sport with a perfect record. There were 29 performances without any defeats.
Justin's setback ended a great streak for the fighter. The athlete had four major victories.
The fight
The duel started with Gaethje keeping his distance to avoid the lineal champion's takedowns. The American took the initiative with a low kick, while Khabib looked for the best moment to attack. Nurmagomedov also remained careful not to fall victim to his rival's brute strength. Justin connected with a cross, which exploded on the Russian's head, followed by a low kick, which knocked the linear champion off balance. The American saved two takedowns in a row and tried not to make a mistake that could be fatal. Gaethje attacked Khabib again with a low kick. Halfway through the round, Nurmagomedov surprised his opponent with a flying knee, but Justin showed courage and didn't waver. Khabib looked comfortable in the confrontation, but was put in a dangerous situation with counterattacks. Towards the end, the lineal champion managed the takedown, mounted and threatened an armbar, but the North American was saved by the bell.
In the second stage, Khabib returned chasing his opponent in the Octagon, walking forward. Gaethje, however, remained dangerous with his counterattacks. Even walking backwards, Justin defended himself by throwing jabs and crosses, which touched the linear champion. After just over a minute, Nurmagomedov took down the American again and looked for a triangle. Justin tried to defend himself, but the linear champion was pushing hard and ended up erasing the champion.
UFC 254 results
MAIN CARD
Lightweight: Khabib Nurmagomedov finished Justin gaethje with a triangle at 1m34s of R2 – Fight for the unification of the belts
Average weight: Robert whittaker derrotou Jared Cannonnier in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov derrotou Walt Harris by technical knockout at 1m15s of R2
Average weight: phil hawes derrotou Jacob Malkoun by knockout 18s into R1
Fly weight: Lauren Murphy finished Liliya Shakirova with a rear naked choke at 3m31s of R2
Light Heavyweight: Magomed Ankalayev derrotou Ion cutelaba by knockout at 4m19s of R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Heavyweight: Tai tuivasa derrotou Stefan struve by knockout at 4m59s of R1
Married weight (up to 63,5kg): Casey kenney derrotou Nathaniel Wood in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Welterweight Weight: Shavkat Rakhmonov finished Alex Cowboy with a guillotine 4m40s from R1
Light Heavyweight: Sam alvey e Da Un Jung they tied in a split decision between the judges (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
Fly weight: Miranda maverick derrotou Liana Jojua by technical knockout (medical interruption) 5m from R1
Lightweight: Joel alvarez finished Alexander Yakovlev with an armbar 3m from R1
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