Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje and been pretty respectful of one another leading up to their fight, but the stars still had a pretty intense, face off today in Abu Dhabi.
Watch Khabib and Gaethje face off
The lightweight champ Nurmagomedov and the interim champ Gaethje will battle in the headliner of UFC 254, which is going down on Yas Island. The pre-fight narrative is that Saturday’s headliner will be one of the biggest bouts in recent memory, and quite possibly in UFC history.
As you can see by watching the clips below, the champs had an intense, yet respectful face off today in front of the media.
FOR THE UNDISPUTED TITLE.
@TeamKhabib vs @Justin_Gaethje
[ #UFC254 – LIVE on #ESPNPlus PPV: https://t.co/sO1r9pAolh ] pic.twitter.com/62R0VjZQIE
— UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2020
No interest in the interim… @Justin_Gaethje discards his belt while facing off with Khabib!
[ #UFC254 – Oct 24 – Main Card at 2pmET ] pic.twitter.com/AS0A7vxnuo
— UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2020
Nurmagomedov (28-0) will be fighting for the first time since last September, when he submitted Dustin Poirier.
Gaethje (22-2) stopped Tony Ferguson in May to win the interim belt and to secure a fight with Khabib.
UFC 254 line-up
Here is the complete line-up for UFC 254, which is going to take place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi (line-up via MMA Mania).
UFC 254 PPV Main Card
155 lbs.: UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. UFC Interim Lightweight Titleholder Justin Gaethje
185 lbs.: Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier
265 lbs.: Walt Harris vs. Alexander Volkov
125 lbs.: Cynthia Calvillo vs. Lauren Murphy
205 lbs.: Ion Cutelaba vs. Magomed Ankalaev
UFC 254 Prelims Card
265 lbs.: Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa
125 lbs.: Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick
205 lbs.: Sam Alvey vs. Da Un Jung
155 lbs.: Phil Hawes vs. Jacob Malkoun
*Card subject to change