Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov beats Justin Gaethje by second-round technical knockout
Nurmagomedov then announces his retirement while still in the octagon
Russian's first fight since death of his father and coach Abdulmanap in July
Nurmagomedov forced American Gaethje to tap out with triangle choke finish
Robert Whittaker and Alexander Volkov win their fights
England's Nathaniel Wood loses to Casey Kenney by unanimous decision
UFC 254 at Yas Island's Flash Forum Arena in Abu Dhabi
Khabib Nurmagomedov also thanked those who helped him during his time in the UFC, plus his latest opponent...
"Thank you so much Justin. In 2016 I remember that when I cut weight you helped me a lot. Thank you brother. I know you are a great man. I know how you take care of your close people.
"Be close with your parents because one day something will happen, you never know what's going to happen tomorrow."
"There's only one thing I want from the UFC... you guys have to put me number pound-for-pound fighter in the world because I deserve this," said Khabib Nurmagomedov.
"I'm the UFC undisputed, undefeated champion with 13-0 [record, in UFC], and 29-0 and all of my pro MMA career."
"This is my last fight," said Khabib Nurmagomedov. "There's no way I'm going to come here without my father.
"When the UFC called me about Justin I talked with my mother for three days. She doesn't want me to go fight without my father but I promised her this was going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow this."
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
A bigger shock during his post-fight interview, Khabib Nurmagomedov says he will retire after taking his record to 29-0.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
A few moments later Gaethje jogs over from off screen to console Khabib. He's all good.
But the replays showed that Gaethje tapped three, maybe four times before the referee called it off.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Gaethje looked like he was unconscious as Khabib stepped away and the champion slumps to the canvas, clearly upset.
Is that through concern for Gaethje or some of his emotions coming out after the loss of his father?
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Gaethje tried to stand up to relieve the pressure but Nurmagomedov's legs were locked round his neck.
Wow...it's over.
Khabib forces Gaethje to tap out with a triangle choke finish.
Round 2
A minute into the second round, Nurmagomedov takes Gaethje down again...
Gaethje's coach Trevor Wittman tells his fighter to "slow it down". The pace has been relentless from Nurmagomedov.
Round 1
Nurmagomedov lands his first takedown and he has Gaethje wrapped up for the last 40 seconds of the first round.
Round 1
Gaethje survives the first takedown attempt, he's continually being forced back by Khabib though.
Round 1
Both fighters have stood off for the first two minutes, Gaethje has landed a couple of leg kicks though.
Khabib Nurmagomedov v Justin Gaethje
Dan Hardy
Former UFC fighter
Unless Gaethje blasts him out of the water like he did with Edson Barboza and James Vick. I think he’ll be up against it for the first 10 minutes.
It’s easy to underestimate his takedown defence but I think he’s going to really prove himself. He’s been wrestling since he was a child and as he’s progressed as a mixed martial artists, he’s used it purely defensively.
Khabib will test his conditioning, that lactic acid in his muscles that’ll slow his punches down in the championship rounds. But if he can maintain his conditioning through the third round and onwards, it’ll be all about low kicks and overhand rights. That’s really where we’re going to see Khabib tested.
Although his jab’s excellent, it’s perfect to be countered with an overhand right and Gaethje only needs one. And it would be huge if Gaethje can pull it off – probably the biggest ever lightweight defeat, I can’t think of anyone that’s been as dominant as Khabib in the division. That’s when we might see McGregor return to 155. It’d change the landscape entirely.
Khabib Nurmagomedov v Justin Gaethje
Both fighters are now in the octagon and ready to go.
Image source, Getty ImagesKhabib Nurmagomedov v Justin Gaethje
Khabib...
Gaethje...
Khabib Nurmagomedov v Justin Gaethje
Dan Hardy
Former UFC fighter
The last two fights [wins against Poirier and McGregor] seem to be the best version of him so far. If you look back at his previous fights, there have been certain elements of his game that have been lacking but his last two fights have been far more comprehensive. In earlier fights he has looked a little uncomfortable on his feet a times and failed several takedowns, but the pace that he keeps on people is really the thing that’s most impressive and the one thing that’s been constant.
But in his recent two fights, especially given the fact they’ve been high-level opponents, his ability to use a really long stinging jab to remind them he’s controlling the distance and then to keep a wrestling pace on them that exhausts them, he seems much more systematic in his last two fights. I think that’s what’s most impressive about him. Most fighters kind of stagnant until they pick up a couple of defeats whereas Khabib’s constantly evolving his game and improving. Even though we’ve seen fantastic versions of him so far, I still feel this will be the best version of him yet.
Khabib Nurmagomedov v Justin Gaethje
Image source, BBC SportThose wins by Khabib include eight KO/TKO and 10 submissions. He's also had the most takedowns in a single UFC fight - 21 - and has an average of 5.35 takedowns Landed per 15 minutes. Gaethje has never even attempted one.
And his wins have featured 19 KO/TKO and one submission.
He has the highest striking rate in UFC history (7.74 significant strikes landed per minute) and the highest striking accuracy in UFC lightweight history (59.2%). And he's only been taken down twice from 10 attempts, spending only 17 seconds on the floor.