Khabib Nurmagomedov taps Justin Gaethje in round two, retires on top
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired unbeaten after defending his lightweight strap at UFC 254 on Saturday, Oct. 24. Nurmagomedov submitted Justin Gaethje via second-round arm-triangle choke in Yas Island, Abu Dahbi.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje preview
Nurmagomedov returns to the octagon for the first time since the death of his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov in July. His father passed away from complications stemming from him contracting COVID-19.
Nurmagomedov defended his strap for just the second time at UFC 242 in September 2019. He submitted Dustin Poirier via third-round rear-naked choke in Abu Dhabi.
His first title defense was a fourth-round submission win against former double champion Conor MCGregor at UFC 229 in October 2018.
Gaethje is unsatisfied with his interim title, which he earned by finishing Tony Ferguson via fifth-round TKO at UFC 249 this past May. Gaethje is riding a four fight win streak, finishing Donald Cerrone, Edson Barboza and James Vick.
Here is how the lightweight championship bout bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje went down at UFC 254, including round-by-round scoring. For full results of the event, check them out right here.
ROUND 1
Both men take center and here we go. Nurmagomedov and Gaethje taking their time, not engaging right away. The respect the two have for one another is easy to to see. Gathje misses with a leg kick. Geathje lands a leg kick, misses with the left hand. Nurmagomedov lands a right hand, Gaethje counters. Geathje with another leg kick. Nurmahomedov is closing the distance, attempts a takedown. Geathje defends and they stay on their feet. Geathje lands a right hand. Nurmagomedov lands a kick tot he body. Nurmagomedov lands a knee. Geathje finds the body with a kick. Nurmagomedov is all over Geathje. Geathje is throwing with some power, but Nurmagomedov keeps Gaethje backing up. Geathje lands a combination with his hands. Getahje lands a leg kick. Nurmagomedov lets his hands go. Geathje lands on the counter. Nurmagomedov ducks and gets the takedown. Nurmagomedov slides right into full mount. Nurmagomedov looks for an arm bar, but Gaethje survives the bell.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Nurmagomedov
ROUND 2
Nurmagomedov lets his hands go, but doesn’t land clean. Nurmagomedov lands a leg kick. Geathje pops the jab. Geathje lands another left, solid foot work. Nurmogomedov with a leg kick. Nurmagomedov gets a takedown, transition to back mount, then full mount. Gaethje scrambles, Nurmagomedov slaps on an arm triangle. Geathje appears to tap, but the referee doesn’t catch it. Referee steps in and Geathje is out.
Official result: Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Justin Gaethje via submission [arm-triangle choke] at 1:34 in round 2.
*Nurmagomedov announces his retirement, says “No way I’m going to come here without my father.”
"No way I'm going to come here without my father." #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/Mra46AIius
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
