So just like Khabib Nurmagomedov's previous 28 opponents, Justin Gaethje knew exactly what was coming tonight - a grappling onslaught.

And just like the other 28, he was powerless to stop it.

In a matter of a few seconds early in the second round of their unification bout, Nurmagomedov dashed Gaethje's hopes of an upset and stretched his unbeaten record to 29-0.

Then during his post-fight interview, the UFC lightweight champion announced he is retiring having promised his mother this would be his last fight after the death of his father and coach in July.

Scroll down to relive the drama of UFC 254 and see all the reaction as the MMA world said farewell to a legend.

Deen786: Khabib did the right thing. if he beat GSP, GSP too old. if he lose GSP, ruin legacy. Also, Jones doesn't have a clean history, and not been dominant in every match.

Apparently not even coach Javier Mendez, who was in Khabib's corner beside his father at his previous fight against Dustin Poirier, knew that the Russian was planning on retiring if he beat Justin Gaethje tonight.

Mendez is holding Nurmagomedov's belt in Team Khabib's victory photo below.

Image source, Getty Images

The UFC has capped Khabib Nurmagomedov's night by awarding him one of the $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses following his triangle choke submission of Justin Gaethje in the second round.

That will come in handy during his retirement.

You can click here to read a report of another commanding performance by the undisputed, undefeated lightweight champion.

Image source, Getty Images

Former UFC fighter Frank Mir has told Khabib Nurmagomedov to enjoy his retirement and has posted a picture of the undefeated lightweight champion with his late father Abdulmanap.

But Jones has since added...

Khabib Nurmagomedov asked the UFC to make him the world's number one pound-for-pound fighter but the current top dog has had something to say about that.

Light heavyweight champion Jon 'Bones' Jones has a 26-1 record, winning 15 world-title fights.

So too Leon Edwards... and Dana White has confirmed tonight that the British UFC fighter will face Khamzat Chimaev on 19 December.

Conor McGregor's coach John Kavanagh has also congratulated Khabib Nurmagomedov on retiring with an unbeaten MMA record...

Dana White also said during his news conference that Khabib Nurmagomedov suffered a broken foot a few weeks before the fight.

"We're all lucky we got to see him fight tonight," he said.

Dana White said that if Nurmagomedov beat Gaethje "he's on his way to GOAT status".

Now that he's beat him and retired, has he done enough?

Let us know your thoughts by using #bbcufc on Twitter

Nurmagomedov had previously hinted at retiring if he reaches a 30-0 record and, asked at the pre-fight press conference about achieving the same status as boxing greats Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, he said: "I don't know if I can ever become close to these people.

"I didn't have this goal; I just want to win every fight. We'll see in the future because I'm not finished yet. When I retire, I want to retire [as the] undisputed, undefeated UFC lightweight champion."

Easy to look back in hindsight but reaching 30-0 was a notable omission.

Khabib Nurmagomedov laid his gloves on the canvas after announcing his retirement...

UFC president Dana White was typically understated in his news conference...

"What a night... wow! He is the baddest on the planet."

Sulaimon Adelekan: Right and correct and also emotional decision from Khabib to retire. He retires as a G.O.A.T and so no rematch with MCgregor. Farewell to a champion.

While his father was a copper miner, Justin Gaethje said during the pre-fight press conference that the money he earns from this fight would allow his mother to retire from her job as a postmaster.