Dana White Reveals How Khabib Nurmagomedov Trash Talked Justin Gaethje During Fight

Nurmagomedov Justin GaethjeIt may not have seemed like it, but Khabib Nurmagomedov unleashed some trash talk at Justin Gaethje during their title fight. Nurmagomedov successfully defended his lightweight title following a second-round submission win over Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner back in October. It was an emotional affair given that it was the first time Nurmagomedov […]

Nurmagomedov Justin Gaethje

It may not have seemed like it, but Khabib Nurmagomedov unleashed some trash talk at Justin Gaethje during their title fight.

Nurmagomedov successfully defended his lightweight title following a second-round submission win over Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner back in October.

It was an emotional affair given that it was the first time Nurmagomedov was competing following the death of his father as he went on to retire after the fight.

However, that didn’t stop “The Eagle” from trash talking Gaethje during the fight.

When asked following UFC Fight Island 7 if Max Holloway was the coolest fighter in the sport, UFC president Dana White revealed some of the trash talk Nurmagomedov directed at Gaethje — as told by “The Eagle” himself.

“You know what’s funny when you say that about Max, and it’s so true, I was with Khabib last night and he was telling me – and I didn’t know this, maybe you guys did – all the stuff that him and Gaethje were talking about during their fight,” White said (via talkSPORT).

“Gaethje hit him with a couple of shots and he thought Gaethje looked kind of weird so he pointed at him and said ‘you have jet-lag’ in the middle of the fight. Gaethje said ‘no, I don’t’ and hit him with an uppercut and a left-hook, then Khabib said something to him again and he leg kicked him.

“And then I guess when he took him down, Khabib was on top of him, he said ‘now what are you going to do?’ and he’s telling me all this s*** these two are talking about during their fight. First of all, the fight didn’t go that long, I don’t know how much of a conversation they could have had! But, Holloway is one of those guys too.”

Perhaps we might see Nurmagomedov trash talk his opponent one more time in the near future.

VIDEO | Khabib Nurmagomedov Has Brutal UFC 254 Weight Cut

Khabib NurmagomedovIf the newly released video of Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s weight cut ahead of UFC 254 is to go by, it looks like the former lightweight champ’s final fight almost didn’t happen. Nurmagomedov has always been big for the lightweight division, and it’s long been known that weight cuts have been difficult for him. Despite that, Nurmagomedov […]

Khabib Nurmagomedov

If the newly released video of Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s weight cut ahead of UFC 254 is to go by, it looks like the former lightweight champ’s final fight almost didn’t happen.

Nurmagomedov has always been big for the lightweight division, and it’s long been known that weight cuts have been difficult for him. Despite that, Nurmagomedov only missed weight once in his 29 pro fights, tipping the scales before his fight against Abel Trujillo at UFC 160. In a video released on his YouTube channel, The Eagle gave his fans an inside glimpse of just how much work goes in to making sure he hits the 155 pound mark.

The day before his fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, Nurmagomedov can be seen repeatedly dropping to the ground from pure exhaustion after running and cycling. His coaches and teammates are shown helping him stand up and even rolling over. Throughout the grueling video, everyone is still somehow able to stay relatively calm about the situation.

“We are not used to (seeing) him in this state, but it’s fine,” one of his coaches says to the camera. “Everything will be how Allah wants. Most important is to make weight and he will finish him.”

“Last day, last days of weight cut are usually difficult,” another member of Nurmagomedov’s team says. “It’s always like that. No matter how prepared you are, last day is very difficult. We did not do evening training, decided to save power, now it’s morning training.”

Weight cuts have been a contentious sticking point for MMA fans for years. Many high-profile fights have been called off due to a fighters inability to make the limit. We’ve also seen fighters hospitalized due to weight cuts gone wrong, and in some extreme cases, even pass away. The cries for additional weight classes have grown especially louder in the last year or so, but UFC president Dana White has always been opposed to the idea.

Nurmagomedov was, of course, able to make the lightweight limit without medical assistance, but not without controversy. Even after the intense workout to slim down, he was the first one on the scales. After initially weighing in at 155.5 pounds, Nurmagomedov tried again with the help of a towel. The official manning the scale was quick to call out 155, though many felt the scale didn’t have time to properly set.

Despite the difficult weight cut, the weigh-in controversy and the recent passing of his father, Nurmagomedov was able to overcome it all and stop Gaethje in the second round. He has since retired and bought his own MMA promotion, which he hopes will serve as a launching pad for future UFC champions careers. White has maintained that he believes the former champion will return to the octagon to run his record to 30-0. But now being able to see first-hand what Nurmagomedov went through before each fight, it’s easy to see why he’d be perfectly fine staying out of the sport for good.

Does this video change your mind about a Khabib Nurmagomedov comeback? Let us know!

Khabib Nurmagomedov Posts X-Ray Image Of Broken Foot Suffered Prior To UFC 254

KhabibKhabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov’s route to last Saturday night’s UFC lightweight championship unification clash with interim champion, Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje was filled with adversity including the unfortunate passing of his coach and father, Abdulmanap earlier this year – as well a broken foot which he suffered three week’s prior to the contest. Khabib, who […]

Khabib

Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov’s route to last Saturday night’s UFC lightweight championship unification clash with interim champion, Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje was filled with adversity including the unfortunate passing of his coach and father, Abdulmanap earlier this year – as well a broken foot which he suffered three week’s prior to the contest.

Khabib, who announced his sudden retirement from professional mixed martial arts after his main event clash with Gaethje, did so as the undisputed UFC lightweight champion, sitting at a perfect 29-0 to boot. 

Taking on Elevation Fight Team staple, Gaethje in the unification clash, Khabib sealed his legacy with a second-round triangle, choking the Arizonian unconscious, before an emotional post-fight interview with promotional commentator, Jon Anik in which he announced his decision to hang up his gloves, following a discussion with his mother – citing how he wasn’t willing to make another Octagon walk without his father by his side.

The 32-year-old Sambo specialist, who largely wasn’t expected to continue his professional career beyond the thirty-fight mark, noted the expected upcoming clash of former opponents, Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier, and ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor at UFC 257 in January, explaining how he’s not interested in that potential fight – having scored victories against both.

Following the poignant interview with Anik – UFC president, Dana White noted how he was hearing rumblings Khabib had suffered an injury prior to the event, and how the mixed martial arts community as a whole was lucky to see him step foot into the Octagon at UFC 254.

“”Listen, man, what he’s (Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s) been through, we’re all lucky we got to see him fight tonight,” White said. “And I’m hearing rumours of other things that I didn’t know about, that you guys will hear about when he comes out later I’m sure.

Apparently, he was in the hospital – he broke his foot. Three weeks ago. So he has two broken toes and a bone in his foot that’s broken, or something like that. That’s what his corner was telling me. And never told anybody – [was] walking around, I mean, he is one of the toughest human beings on the planet and he is just – he’s the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the world. And seriously, you have to start putting him up there at G.O.A.T. status, whoever else you think is the G.O.A.T.

Posting to his official Instagram earlier this week, Nurmagomedov shared images of his broken foot as well as an x-ray scan of the injury.

Khabib
Mandatory Credit: Khabib Nurmagomedov

With Khabib’s decision to call time on a gleaming professional career which came to a conclusion with a trio of successful title defence submissions against the division’s most dangerous strikers, McGregor, Poirier, and Gaethje – the promotion will have to put together some sort of matchup or format to crown a new undisputed champion in Khabib’s absence.

So far, seven-fight streaking contender, Charles Oliveira has called for his inclusion in any discussion of a vacant lightweight title fight, while former three-time Bellator lightweight best, Michael Chandler has floated the idea of a four-man tournament involving himself, both Poirier and McGregor, as well as rumoured foe, Tony Ferguson.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Celebrates UFC 254 Win With Burger Feast (Video)

NurmagomedovUFC 254 was an emotional night for Khabib Nurmagomedov — however, he is now celebrating in style. Nurmagomedov became the undisputed lightweight champion following an impressive second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje this past weekend. Afterwards, “The Eagle” fell to the ground and was in tears as he remembered his late father Abdulmanap before going […]

Nurmagomedov

UFC 254 was an emotional night for Khabib Nurmagomedov — however, he is now celebrating in style.

Nurmagomedov became the undisputed lightweight champion following an impressive second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje this past weekend.

Afterwards, “The Eagle” fell to the ground and was in tears as he remembered his late father Abdulmanap before going on to retire from the sport.

Given that he competed just a few months after his father’s death was a miracle in itself and there was bound to be a huge release of emotions after the fight.

But now, it’s time to party and relax and that’s what Nurmagomedov is doing. Head coach Javier Mendez recently posted a video on Instagram of Nurmagomedov celebrating his win at UFC 254 by getting ready to eat a number of burgers.

And as we know from his post-fight interview at UFC 242 last year, Nurmagomedov loves his burgers.

You can watch it below:

While fighters have retired in the past, many observers believe Nurmagomedov’s retirement will stick. And it that remains the case, he can have as many burgers as he wants now that he doesn’t have to cut to 155 pounds anymore.

Do you think Nurmagomedov will ever return?

Daniel Cormier Reveals Reason Khabib Nurmagomedov Used Triangle Choke Against Justin Gaethje

NurmagomedovIt turns out there was a reason why Khabib Nurmagomedov opted to use a triangle choke to submit Justin Gaethje. Nurmagomedov became the undisputed lightweight champion following his second-round submission win over Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner this past weekend. It was the first time “The Eagle” had submitted an opponent in the UFC […]

Nurmagomedov

It turns out there was a reason why Khabib Nurmagomedov opted to use a triangle choke to submit Justin Gaethje.

Nurmagomedov became the undisputed lightweight champion following his second-round submission win over Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner this past weekend.

It was the first time “The Eagle” had submitted an opponent in the UFC using the triangle choke submission and as per Daniel Cormier, there was one big reason why he chose to utilize it.

“I spoke to Khabib yesterday and we were talking about it — he told me when he was watching the interviews over the course of the week, he saw that Justin said that he would never tap. Justin would never tap,” Cormier told Ariel Helwani. “So when he was going for the submission — he said it’s [mounted triangle choke from an armbar] his dad’s favorite submission — he was going to do the armbar.

“But he heard Justin saying all week he would never tap and he didn’t want to hurt him in front of his parents so he went to the triangle and just kinda put him to sleep.”

Gaethje’s parents, of course, were allowed to attend the fight at Gaethje’s request. And while Gaethje did tap before being put to sleep — mainly due to what seemed to be a late stoppage — it was certainly not the worst way to lose in a Nurmagomedov fight.

All in all, it further shows just how much Nurmagomedov is actually processing things in the moment during a fight.

What do you think of Cormier’s revelation?

Jared Cannonier Releases Statement Following UFC 254 Defeat To Robert Whittaker

Cannonier WhittakerJared Cannonier’s spirits remain high following his UFC 254 defeat to Robert Whittaker. The pair fought in the co-main event of UFC 254 on Saturday in what was essentially a number one contender bout for the middleweight title. Although it was pretty even for most of the fight, many felt Whittaker had the edge in […]

Cannonier Whittaker

Jared Cannonier’s spirits remain high following his UFC 254 defeat to Robert Whittaker.

The pair fought in the co-main event of UFC 254 on Saturday in what was essentially a number one contender bout for the middleweight title.

Although it was pretty even for most of the fight, many felt Whittaker had the edge in the first two rounds. The result was all but sealed, however, once Whittaker rocked Cannonier with a head kick that later dropped him in the third round. Cannonier did well to survive until the final bell but was ultimately defeated via unanimous decision.

“The Killa Gorilla” took to social media on Sunday to release a statement where he thanked Whittaker for the fight while also revealing he broke or fractured his left arm during the fight. He notably posted an image of the two together.

“That didn’t go exactly how I wanted but My spirits remain high and I’m happy with how I fought all things considered. The very first kick he threw broke or fractured my left ulna ? I couldn’t find my grove and adjust quickly to get the W so I’ll take my L with pride.

“@robwhittakermma certainly lived up to my expectations before and after the fight. Congrats mate. Enjoy Xmas and the new ??. It was a hell of an experience to be here. Can’t wait to go again.”

The defeat was Cannonier’s first since moving down to the middleweight division in 2018. However, with a 3-1 record in the division, the American could easily be back in title contention if he returns to the win column in his next fight.

Who do you think Cannonier should fight next?