Tag: UFC 254

Khabib Nurmagomedov: Big difference between Dagestani, American wrestling

Khabib Nurmagomedov says the difference between his and Justin Gaethje’s wrestling is staunch.

ABU DHABI – UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] sees staunch differences between Dagestani and American wrestling styles.

Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) plans on displaying the contrast Saturday at UFC 254 when he takes on former NCAA Division I All American wrestler [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] at Flash Forum on Yas Island.

“I think it’s a big difference,” Nurmagomedov said at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “I know he knows how to wrestle. Worry about wrestling 25 minutes. I told (Daniel Cormier) today, ‘When you fight with Stipe Miocic last time, you grabbed his leg one time, and you take him down. He got up very quickly, and you’re finished.’ All other minutes (went) standup. Between me and DC is a big difference.”

Relentlessness is the biggest difference, Nurmagomedov outlined. While he thinks Gaethje (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has better wrestling than his previous two opponents, Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor, Nurmagomedov anticipates scoring takedowns again and again.

“If I’m going to try to take him down once and he defends, I’m going to go all night. I’m going to go all night,” Nurmagomedov said. “This is the big difference between U.S. wrestling and Dagestan wrestling. … They all good when they stand up, but when I grab them, it changes a little bit. I think more than Dustin and Conor and other guys, he know to wrestle. It’s going to be a little bit hard. I prepared myself to try to take him down 100 times. It’s going to be interesting Saturday night.”

[lawrence-related id=560779,560473,560290]

Nurmagomedov, 32, will seek his third successful UFC lightweight title defense against Gaethje. After winning the vacant belt against Al Iaquinta at UFC 223 in April 2018, Nurmagomedov submitted rival McGregor at UFC 229 in October 2018. In September 2019, Nurmagomedov submitted Poirier at UFC 242.

Since dropping two of his first three UFC appearances, Gaethje has stormed up the 155-pound divisional ladder with four straight TKO victories. After finishing James Vick, Edson Barboza, and Donald Cerrone, Gaethje earned a title shot with a fifth-round TKO of Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in May.

UFC 254 takes place Saturday at Flash Forum. The main card streams on pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN 2/ESPN+.

[vertical-gallery id=437333]

Dana White says UFC 254 trending to be one of biggest events in company history

UFC president Dana White spoke to a small group of reporters and outlined the numbers that have UFC 254 looking to be a major success.

UFC president Dana White spoke to a small group of reporters and outlined the numbers that have UFC 254 looking to be a major success.

Video: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje face off ahead of UFC 254 on ‘Fight Island’

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje are one step closer to their heavily anticipated UFC 254 clash in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] are one step closer to their heavily anticipated UFC 254 clash.

UFC lightweight champ Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) and interim titleholder Gaethje (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) squared off Wednesday on Yas Beach following a news conference in support of Saturday’s pay-per-view event, which takes place at the nearby Flash Forum on Yas Island.

The faceoff is the last time the two athletes are scheduled to appear together prior to Friday’s ceremonial faceoffs following the morning’s official weigh-ins.

Check out video of their staredown above.

Saturday’s UFC 254 streams live on pay-per-view at a special start time of 2 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+ and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

Video: Watch today’s UFC 254 press conference with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje (9 a.m. ET)

You can watch today’s press conference from Abu Dhabi in advance of UFC 254 here on MMAjunkie at 9 a.m. ET (5 p.m. GST local time).

ABU DHABI – You can watch today’s press conference from Yas Beach in advance of UFC 254 here on MMAjunkie at 9 a.m. ET (5 p.m. GST local time).

UFC president Dana White hosts the event, which features UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) and interim lightweight titleholder [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who square off in the main event of Saturday’s event at the nearby Flash Forum.

The UFC 254 main card airs on pay-per-view at a special time of 2 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+ and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

The press conference streams live, courtesy of the UFC, and the two fighters are expected to faceoff after answering questions from the media. It’s the last time Nurmagomedov and Gaethje are scheduled to appear together before Friday’s official weigh-ins and ceremonial faceoffs.

MMA Junkie will have full coverage of the full week’s events from Yas Island.