MMA WeeklyKhabib Nurmagomedov announces retirement in emotional UFC 254 Octagon Interview
An emotional Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement following his UFC 254 win over Justin Gaethje on Saturday. "The Eagle" defeated Gaethje by triangle choke in the second round of the fight card's main event. During his post-fight interview, the 32-year-old explained his decision to retire. Nurmagomedov's fighting resume will stand with an unblemished record of 29-0. His career spanned 12 years from 2012 to 2020. (Courtesy of UFC) TRENDING > Khabib Nurmagomedov issues his first statement following UFC 254 victory and retirement Related Video > Fighters react to Khabib's surprise UFC 254 retirement (Subscribe to MMAWeekly.com on YouTube)
MMA WeeklyKhabib Nurmagomedov closes career with UFC 254 Performance Bonus
In the UFC's final event of its second stint on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov put on a masterful performance in the final fight of his career. The victory not only cemented Khabib's legacy, it also earned him one of the UFC 254 performance bonuses. Performance of the Night: Khabib Nurmagomedov While most would have thought that Justin Gaethje would outgun Khabib on the feet, the champ used a stinging jab and sharp combinations to negate his foe's power punches. He also used his hands to set up his all-important takedowns, one of which cemented the fight. Khabib took Gaethje down late in the first frame, but couldn't find a finish before the clock wound down. In the second round, however, he again put Gaethje on the canvas, this time sinking a triangle choke that put the lights out. It's no surprise that, looking as good as he ever has in the Octagon, Khabib walked away with a $50,000 UFC 254 Performance of the Night bonus. Performance of the Night: Magomed Ankalaev In a rematch that has seen the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 force several restarts, Magomed Ankalaev finally put a stamp on his rivalry with Ion Cutelaba. Ankalaev won their first fight in February of this year, but the bout was considered controversial, as the referee stopped the fight when he felt Cutelaba was out on his feet. Cutelaba immediately protested, and the UFC quickly moved to rebook the fight. Though it didn't happen nearly as soon as originally planned, Ankalaev made sure to leave no doubts at UFC 254. He laid Cutelaba out at 4:19 of the first round, leaving him flat on his back. The victory earned Ankalaev the other UFC 254 Performance of the Night bonus. Fight of the Night: Casey Kenney def. Nathaniel Wood The UFC 254 Fight of the Night honors went to prelim competitors Casey Kenney and Nathaniel Wood. The two fight an exciting back and forth bout that went the distance with Kenney taking the unanimous nod from the judges. Both fighters went home with an additional $50,000, however. TRENDING > Khabib Nurmagomedov issues his first statement following UFC 254 victory and retirement UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje Performance Bonuses Performance of the Night: Khabib NurmagomedovPerformance of the Night: Magomed AnkalaevFight of the Night: Nathaniel Wood vs. Casey Kenney Related Video > Fighters react to Khabib's surprise UFC 254 retirement (Subscribe to MMAWeekly.com on YouTube)
MMA WeeklyFor the second time in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s career, he lost a round at UFC 254
Khabib Nurmagomedov defended his lightweight title on Saturday defeating Justin Gaethje by submission in the second round of the UFC 254 main event. His performance was quickly overshadowed when "The Eagle" announced his retirement. The 32-year-old took off his gloves at Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi and laid them in the Octagon. After 29 fights and 12 years of fighting, Nurmagomedov fought for the last time. His dominance in the 155-pound division is difficult to put in perspective. In his entire career, Nurmagomdov never lost a bout and only lost two rounds. In 60 rounds of fighting, he only lost two rounds. The first time Nurmagomedov was scored losing a round came in his UFC 229 title fight against Conor McGregor. He dominated the first and second rounds and finished McGregor in the fourth. In the third, judges Derek Cleary, Sal D'Amato, and Junichiro Kamijo scored McGregor winning the frame 10-9. UFC 229: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor scorecard The second time Nurmagomedov lost a round was on Saturday against Gaethje. Two of the three judges, Ben Cartlidge and Sal A'Mato, scored the first frame 10-9 for Gaethje, while judge Derek Cleary scored the round 10-9 for Nurmagomedov. UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje scorecard TRENDING > Khabib Nurmagomedov issues his first statement following UFC 254 victory and retirement Related Video > Fighters react to Khabib's surprise UFC 254 retirement (Subscribe to MMAWeekly.com on YouTube)
