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The next super fight on an already loaded 2020 roster for the UFC is upon us this Saturday when undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov takes on interim titleholder Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi. The 155-pound unification fight tops a card on Yas Island, better known as “Fight Island,” as UFC President Dana White has called it, and remains one of the most anticipated of the calendar year.
Let’s take a closer look at the stories surrounding this weekend’s pay-per-view event highlighting the month of October for the UFC.
1. How will the father’s death affect Khabib?
Nurmagomedov, during an early UFC teleconference to promote the fight, appeared to flatly shut down any further mention of the issue given the grief he is dealing with over the July death of the man who taught him the sport. Although his father, Abdulmanap, had only cornered Nurmagomedov in person in a UFC fight for the first time last September at UFC 242 due to visa issues, he was still a great emotional and strategic presence.
It remains to be seen if the consequences will have any kind of effect on Nurmagomedov inside the Octagon, or if they will lead him to walk away from the sport earlier than expected. He will retain the services of AKA head coach Javier Mendes, as usual, for the fight and competes in behavior already so devoid of emotion. Still, Nurmagomedov’s reluctance to even speak about the issue with the media shows how real the period of mourning remains for something so devastating to happen during such an important training camp.
2. If anyone can break the streak, it is Tony ferguson Gaethje
First, let’s take a moment to properly frame just how impressive Nurmagomedov’s 28-0 record is considering he is operating at the top of possibly the deepest and most dangerous division in UFC history. Seeing Nurmagomedov so easily put out such a comprehensive threat on Dustin Poirier last September only echoed how far he is from his competition.
Throughout the five times the UFC tried to sign Nurmagomedov against Tony Ferguson over the past half decade, many believed “El Cucuy” had the best chance of causing him trouble. Ferguson’s ability to absorb damage is legendary, he’s deft on the ground, mixing unique punchy style with tireless cardio. The MMA gods, however, seemed to determine that the fight would never happen. Then Gaethje came out and absolutely dominated Ferguson by fifth round TKO in May to capture the interim lightweight title. Thanks to his recent transition from barbarian fighter to calculated sniper, Gaethje has largely acquired the new title of “best chance for anyone” as a threat to Nurmagomedov’s reign. Add in Gaethje’s wrestling experience, psychotic determination, and one-shot KO power, and you might have the recipe for a surprise this weekend.
3. Let’s see what mastermind Trevor Wittman has prepared
As Gaethje’s coach, former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas and, in her last fight, welterweight king Kamaru Usman, Wittman has quickly built a reputation as an intellectual coach. His ability to calm Gaethje’s wild instincts enough to help guide him through a strategic game plan has been the secret ingredient in Gaethje’s resurgence to the top of the division. Wittman could not find a more willing subject in Gaethje, who appears to have completely bought what his trainer sells.
Considering Nurmagomedov has lost just one round in 12 UFC fights, the idea of Wittman studying the tape and finding a weakness of some sort to exploit is still intriguing. Although the typically stoic Nurmagomedov has been stingy with the compliments directed at Gaethje during the promotion of this fight, he has gone on the record several times saying that what makes his opponent more dangerous is how well he is trained.
4. Michael Chandler is still an interesting insurance policy
Former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion and recent UFC free agent signing is among the most exciting fighters on the planet; the fact that he’s recently been added to such a deep division with elite talent is a real shame of wealth. However, the 34-year-old Chandler is being placed in an interesting position this weekend and will be transferred to Abu Dhabi as an official replacement should something happen to any of the main event participants.
In a sense, the move is a slap in the face for a fighter with such a big name that it could easily be added to this card in a prominent fight like the co-main event. Instead, it will serve as an expensive backup in an emergency. If nothing goes wrong, there is largely no harm or lack. But in case of being called to duty, the chance to skip such a busy line and be catapulted into a title fight is something that would make the experience worthwhile.
5. One roadblock remains in Whittaker’s path back to the title fight
As one of the most comprehensive and enduring champions in recent UFC memory, it looked like Whittaker could rule the middleweight division for years to come. However, a series of sustained injuries and physical setbacks followed, as did an eventual knockout loss to reigning champion Israel Adesanya in their all-ocean showdown last October. Whittaker also pulled out of a comeback fight citing exhaustion and mental fatigue.
Yet just nine months later, “Bobby Knuckles” has put himself in a position to potentially win back everything he lost. Fresh off a technical win over Darren Till by decision in July, Whittaker faces the dangerous Jared Cannonier in Saturday’s co-main event with a probable redemption shot against Adesanya at stake if he can win.
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