Zane Simon & Eddie Mercado are back to breakdown the card with hot takes, possible next fights, as well as reactions to the overall event.
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http://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/482924/595608/9070?sharedid=BloodyElbow
Today, the UFC showcased a card featuring a unification title fight for the UFC Lightweight Championship. We had Champion vs Champion — KHABIB and GAETHJE going at it in the main event of the UFC 254 PPV card, which was broadcast from #UFCFIGHTISLAND.
Overall, this twelve-bout card saw five swift finishes in Round 1, four submissions, a total of five KO/TKOs, and two decisions, with one Split Draw. Rounding things out, bonuses for putting forth POTN efforts went to Magomed Ankalaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov; and FOTN honors went to Casey Kenney vs. Nathaniel Wood. What a wild day full of fights we have to share with you!
UFC lightweight champion Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov, entered the octagon for the first time since the loss of his father, with an undefeated 28-0 record. The 32-yr-old Russian champion was pitted up against our contender, interim UFC lightweight champion: Justin ‘The Highlight ‘ Gaethje. Our American combatant, holding a 22-2 fight record, entered the octagon a slight underdog.
Also on the card, a middleweight scrap for our co-main event; it was a battle between the fight veteran Robert ‘The Reaper’ Whittaker, who entered the octagon a moderate favorite, with a 21-5 record at just 29 yrs of age, taking on a solid competitor in Jared ‘Killa Gorilla’ Cannonier, with a 13-4 fight record at 36 yrs of age. As if that’s not enough, we also had an exciting heavyweight tilt between Alexander ‘Drago’ Volkov, who faced off against Walt ‘The Big Ticket’ Harris - which was preceded by a fully-packed undercard; join us to discuss all the action...
Here’s a look at the UFC 254: ‘KHABIB VS GAETHJE’
ESPN+ MAIN PPV CARD | SAT. OCT 24 - 2PM/11AM ETPT
12. UFC Lightweight Championship - Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) DEF. Justin Gaethje (22-3) - SUB, Triangle Choke at 1:34 of Rd 2 of 5, Total 6:34 - ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT
11. 185lbs - Robert Whittaker (22-5) DEF. Jared Cannonier (13-5) - DEC, Unanimous
10: 265lbs - Alexander Volkov (32-8) DEF. Walt Harris (13-9) - KO/TKO, Kick to the Solar Plexus at 1:15 of Rd 2, Total 6:15
9. 185lbs - Phil Hawes (9-2) DEF. Jacob Malkoun (4-1) - KO/TKO, Punches in Rd 1
8. 125lbs - Lauren Murphy (14-4) DEF. Lilya Shakirova (8-2) - SUB, Rear Naked Choke at 3:31 of Rd 2, Total of 8:31
7. 205lbs - Magomed Ankalaev (14-1) DEF. Ion Cutelaba (15-6) - KO/TKO, Punches at 4:19 of Rd 1
ESPN+/ESPN 2 PRELIMS | 12PM/9AM ETPT
6. 265lbs - Tai Tuivasa (11-3) DEF. Stefan Struve (29-13) - KO/TKO, Punches at 4:59 of Rd 1
5. 140lbs - Casey Kenney (16-2) DEF. Nathaniel Wood (17-5) - DEC, Unanimous
4. 170lbs - Shavkat Rakhmonov (13-0) DEF. Alex ‘Cowboy’ Oliveira (22-9) - SUB, Guillotine Choke at 4:40 of Rd 1
3. 205lbs - Da Un Jung (13-2) vs. Sam Alvey (33-14) - DRAW: SPLIT
ESPN+/UFC FIGHT PASS EARLY PRELIMS | 11AM/8AM ETPT
2. 125lbs - Miranda Maverick (8-2) DEF. Liana Jojua (8-4) - KO/TKO, Dr. Stoppage (Cut) at 5:00 of Rd 1
1. 155lbs - Joel Alvarez (18-2) DEF. Alexander Yakovlev (25-11) - SUB, Armbar at 3:00 of Rd 1
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