Khabib Nurmagomedov Vs Justin Gaethje Main Event Result

Khabib beat the interim champion after one minute and 34 seconds of the second round, after knocking Gaethje to the ground for the second time in the fight, to bring his record to 29-0.

The first round began tentatively with both men trying to measure the other, and Gaethje made it difficult for Khabib by keeping his feet moving and landing a couple of early kicks.

Nurmagomedov landed the first significant blow but his opponent landed one behind. Khabib increased the pressure as the round progressed and the Highlight was on the rear foot for much of the first four minutes, before landing two shots of his own in the final minute of the round.

The Eagle finished the round with a last minute takedown and attempted to hold the challenger in submission hold, but the American held on to the horn.

Gaethje landed a pair of excellent leg kicks early in the second half, but Nurmagomedov scored a takedown in the second.

The champion, who had 10 submission finals in his MMA career before the fight, quickly finished from there and forced his opponent out of a triangle choke.

In addition to his title, Khabib’s undefeated record was on the line, having won his 28th fight in a row last September by beating Dustin Poirier.

Gaethje won the interim belt earlier this year at UFC 249 by beating Tony Ferguson, having replaced Khabib in the fight.

On Friday there had been concern for the Russian about the weigh-in. The 32-year-old was clearly relieved to have gained weight, with some even questioning whether he actually had.

It was revealed that he had lost 19 pounds, on a rock, in the six days leading up to the fight, so it was no wonder he was relieved.

It was an emotional night for the Russian who lost his father, who was his coach, to Covid-19 earlier in the year and broke down in tears at the end of the fight.

Following the win, Khabib announced that the win over Gaethje was his last night in the Octagon and announced his retirement in his post-fight interview.