Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Khabib Nurmagomedov put the finishes touches on his legendary career earlier today (Sat., Oct. 24, 2020) live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Flash Forum on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., when he unified his UFC lightweight championship with Justin Gaethje with a second-round submission (triangle choke).
Khabib came out firing early with a lead jab and flying knees. Gaethje responded with some counter power shots before Khabib secured his first takedown along the cage. The champ would work his way into mount and nearly locked in a submission finish before the end of the round.
Gaethje returned the favor in the second round with hard leg kicks that seemed to bother the champ. During a scramble Khabib was able to quickly secure top mount along the cage. Gaethje tried to defend but “Eagle” was able to transition to a tight triangle choke. “Highlight” tapped multiple times and the referee eventually stepped in.
Check out the full fight highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:
Khabib vs Gaethje is LIVE NEXT on @espn+ PPV! #UFC254 #InAbuDhabi @visitabudhabi pic.twitter.com/2weARmZMEs
— danawhite (@danawhite) October 24, 2020
Is it his time? @Justin_Gaethje #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/asI996CMR3
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) October 24, 2020
Father’s plan
Does @TeamKhabib add to his legendary resume?
[ #UFC254 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/w4nrYPG58p
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
La la presión del campeón y los contra golpes de Gaethje #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/TjRlKVoWFw
— ufcespanol (@UFCEspanol) October 24, 2020
Zona de peligro para Gaethje!!! #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/vEIjrPGSae
— ufcespanol (@UFCEspanol) October 24, 2020
At the end of the first round, @TeamKhabib hunted a submission #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/pzbc3DtEJn
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 24, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov put Justin Gaethje to sleep with a triangle choke #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/E2f3jCmt6M
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 24, 2020
Respect. #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/pgS1YhI2CF
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
“This is my last fight.”@TeamKhabib pays his respects following a dominant performance at #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/5HiUvJXBJC
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
For complete UFC 254 results and coverage click here.