UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has had himself quite the career inside the Octagon already.
Nurmagomedov will look to defend and unify the titles this Saturday afternoon when he takes on interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 242 live from Abu Dhabi.
“The Eagle” is unbeaten over his career and has scored 17 finishes among his 27 victories. Several of those have come inside the Octagon, and to highlight his upcoming bout, the UFC put together a video featuring his top finishes from both his time with the UFC and other promotions. Related: UFC 242 Free Fights Featuring Khabib Nurmagomedov
UFC 205: Michael Johnson
Held in New York City, this bout gave Nurmagomedov even more name recognition and positioned him to take on Edson Barboza the following year before challenging for UFC gold.
Roughly halfway through the third and final round, Nurmagomedov secured a kimura and locked up the submission on the ultra-tough Johnson.
UFC Fight Night: Thiago Tavares
After going the full three rounds and 15 minutes in his second UFC appearance, Nurmagomedov made quick work of Tavares in Brazil.
Despite Tavares testing positive for banned substances after, they were not enough, as “The Eagle” earned the knockout in just under two minutes.
ProFC Union Nation Cup Final: Kadzhik Abadzhyan
This finish came via triangle choke in 2011 in Russia, as Nurmagomedov stretched his unbeaten run to 13-0.
UFC Fight Night: Darrell Horcher
It took place at a catchweight, but still featured another dominating performance by Nurmagomedov.
The win was his 23rd of his career and helped set him up for some key bouts to follow. The finish came at 3:38 of the second round via strikes.
ProFC 30 Battle on Don: Khamiz Mamedov
Another submission win in Russia for Nurmagomedov, as he forced the tap on Mamedov in the first round with a triangle choke finish.
UFC Fight Night: Kamal Shalorus
The first will always be special, as Nurmagomedov made his Octagon debut in 2012 and returned to the lightweight division that night in Tennessee.
In the third round, he locked in a rear-naked choke on Shalorus and forced the tap.
UFC 229: Conor McGregor
The bout that definitely solidified Nurmagomedov as the top lightweight in the world.
Over the course of three-plus rounds, he dominated McGregor before securing a neck crank and forcing the tap in Las Vegas to defend his UFC lightweight title.
UFC 242: Khabib Vs. Poirier Fight Card
MAIN CARD
UFC Lightweight Championship
Khabib Nurmagomedov (c) vs. Dustin Poirier (ic)
Lightweight: Edson Barboza vs. Paul Felder
Lightweight: Islam Makhachev vs. Davi Ramos
Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov
Lightweight: Mairbek Taisumov vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
PRELIMINARY CARD
Lightweight: Ottman Azalta vs. Teemu Packalen
Female Bantamweight: Liana Jojua vs. Sarah Moras
Welterweight: Belal Muhammad vs. Takashi Sato
Welterweight: Nordine Taleb vs. Muslim Salikhov
Middleweight: Omari Akhmedov vs. Zak Cummings
Female Flyweight: Joanne Calderwood vs. Andrea Lee
Featherweight: Zubaira Tukhugov vs. Lerone Murphy
Lightweight: Don Madge vs. Fares Ziam
Related: Conor McGregor Breaks Silence, Talks Khabib Nurmagomedov, Bar Incident, Future
