In review: A look back at Khabib Nurmagomedov’s last five fights
A bout between UFC Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is unbeaten in a whopping 28 professional fights, and interim champion Justin Gaethje is set to headline UFC 254 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Both fighters are in fine form, but it is ‘The Eagle’ who is the favourite in the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje odds at 2/5. And, if you look at his record, you can see why. With that in mind, let’s take a look back at Khabib’s last five bouts. Read on to find out more!
- UFC 205 – vs. Michael Johnson
Whilst Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez headlined UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with Khabib going toe-to-toe with Michael Johnson on the Preliminary Card. The Russian, who is now considered one of the greatest in the history of the sport, was still making his way up the UFC pecking order at the time of the event in 2016, and Johnson even managed to wobble him in the first round, but, ultimately, ‘The Eagle’ dominated the remainder of the bout and won via submission in the third round – taking his professional record to 24-0.
- UFC 219 – vs. Edson Barboza
The Russian returned to the Octagon just over a year later, this time taking on Edson Barboza at UFC 219, in Las Vegas. This time the bout featured on the Main Card, which was headlined by a Women’s Featherweight Championship fight between Cris Cyborg and Holly Holm. The fight between Khabib and ‘Junior’ went the distance, but ‘The Eagle’ won via a unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-24) from the judges. The Russian was awarded his first Performance of the Night bonus – worth an additional $50,000.
- UFC 223 – vs Al laquinta
Khabib vs Tony Ferguson was originally supposed to headline UFC 223 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. However, for the fourth time in as many years, the bout was put on hold, as Ferguson withdrew with a knee injury. ‘El Cucuy’ was replaced by Max Holloway, although he was also later deemed medically unfit to take part, and Al laquinta stepped in instead. The event was overshadowed by an attack on Khabib and his team by Conor McGregor just days before the fight, but ‘The Eagle’ was unfazed and beat Al laquinta by another unanimous decision, this time scoring 50-44, 50-43, 40-43, to win the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship.
- UFC 229 – vs. McGregor
A year-and-a-half after his victory against Al laquinta, Khabib Nurmagomedov returned to Sin City, this time to take on McGregor in the headline bout of UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena. It was a heavily dominant performance from ‘The Eagle’, and he forced the Dublin native to submit in the fourth round, via a neck crank, becoming only the second person to defeat McGregor, and defend his Lightweight title. However, the event was again marked by controversy between the pair. Moments after his victory, Khabib scaled the Octagon and attacked a member of McGregor’s team. Meanwhile, inside the Octagon, McGregor was involved in scuffles with Khabib’s cousin and two other teammates.
- UFC 242 – vs. Dustin Poirier
UFC 242 marked the sport’s third visit to Abu Dhabi, and the first since 2014. A title unification fight between Khabib and interim champion Dustin Poirier headlined the event, and it was another dominant performance from the Russian. ‘The Eagle’ once again proved how good his grappling and mat game is, and forced Poirier into a submission, via a rear-naked choke, in the third round – defending his title and unifying the Lightweight decision. In reaching an impressive record of 28-0, Khabib was also awarded another Performance of the Night bonus.
