Finally, Nurmagomedov getting back to the octagon. UFC 254: Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje is set to take place on October 24, 2020, at the Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The plan is to proceed with local timing for prime time hours. The main card is scheduled to begin at 10:00 pm (October 24) local time in Abu Dhabi, with a full preliminary card beginning at approximately 6:15 pm Gulf Standard Time.
A UFC Lightweight Championship unification bout between current champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champion Justin Gaethje (also former WSOF Lightweight Champion) is supposed headline the event and has been tabbed to serve as the event headliner.
On September 17, the UFC announced the signing of former three-time Bellator Lightweight World Champion Michael Chandler, who is expected to serve as backup and potential replacement for this fight.
The bout was briefly linked to UFC 253, but the date did not evolve and will instead take place five weeks later. Talking about Nurmagomedov then he is known for the longest active undefeated streak in MMA.
He is a two-time Combat Sambo World Champion and the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion. With 28 wins and no losses, he holds the longest active undefeated streak in MMA. As of September 9, 2020, he is #1 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings
Nurmagomedov was scheduled to defend his title against Tony Ferguson on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249. However, Nurmagomedov was unable to leave Russia as Russia restricted air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gaethje dominated the fight, stopping Ferguson via TKO in the fifth round, and thus ending Ferguson's record of 12 wins in a row. This made Gaethje the only fighter in UFC history to win at least one fight night bonus in each of his first seven appearances.
Take a look at the Full fight card:
Oct 24 - Main Card at 2pmET ]
UFC Lightweight Championship Bout: Khabib Nurmagomedov (c) vs. Justin Gaethje (ic)
Middleweight Bout: Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier
Heavyweight Bout: Alexander Volkov vs. Walt Harris
Middleweight Bout: Jacob Malkoun vs. Phil Hawes
Women's Flyweights Bout: Lauren Murphy vs. Liliya Shakirova
Light Heavyweight Bout: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cuțelaba
Preliminary card (ESPN / ESPN+)
Heavyweight Bout: Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa
Catchweight (140 lb) Bout: Nathaniel Wood vs. Casey Kenney
Welterweight Bout: Alex Oliveira vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
Light Heavyweight Bout: Da Un Jung vs. Sam Alvey
Early preliminary card (ESPN / ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)
Women's Flyweight Bout: Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick
Lightweight Bout: Joel Álvarez vs. Alexander Yakovlev
Seemingly, the fight card is gonna blow when the fans get to see Nurmagomedov back to the octagon.
A middleweight bout between former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier was initially scheduled to take place in March at UFC 248, but Whittaker pulled out due to personal reasons. They have now been rescheduled for this event.
A Lightweight bout between Islam Makhachev vs. Rafael dos Anjos to co-headline the event. Yair Rodríguez and Zabit Magomedsharipov is expected to take place at this event.
UFC 254 preliminary card start Time: 10:15 AM ET /7:15 AM PT / 2.30 PM GMT / 8 PM IST (Saturday, October 24).
UFC 254 main card start time: 2 PM ET/11 AM PT / 6 PM GMT / 11.30 PM IST (Saturday, October 24).
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