As the fights continue to roll on, the UFC will host their next event at Fight Island (Yas Island, Abu Dhabi). This time the MMA world is treated to the return of arguably the sport’s biggest star Khabib Nurmagomedov who tests himself against the undeniable power of Justin Gaethje. The card also features an intriguing bout between former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and the UFC’s #2 ranked middleweight Jared Cannonier.
Check our preview for the 2 headline fights below:
Khabib Nurmagomedov (C) vs. Justin Gaethje
In May of this year, UFC 249 was supposed to headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov against long time rival Tony Ferguson, but the ill-fated bout had to be changed due to travel restrictions at the height of the Covid outbreak as Khabib was stuck in Russia.
This left Justin Gaethje with a chance to step in at short notice and stake his claim as a forerunner in the Lightweight division in a battle for the Interim title.
Despite Gaethje’s ferocious power, the skill of Ferguson – and a 12 fight unbeaten streak – led him to be counted as the bookies favourite, however, Gaethje was able to show his prowess and win via stoppage in the 5th round. This meant that a unification bout against the man from Dagestan, the pound for pound MMA king, Khabib Nurmagomedov would be next if all went according to plan.
Thankfully in spite of the ever-changing landscape, the fighters have been tested, are at the fight location, and have weighed-in on target for the match up. Khabib will exclaim that weight cutting is tough and had to use a towel as cover this time to allow for any extra weight to be removed as he was being measured. Now we can simply look forward to a captivating clash of styles.
Both have extremely strong wrestling capabilities however watching them, you’ll see that their wrestling differs quite massively. While Justin has enough power to take his opposition down, its Khabib who is able to remain on top of his opponents and smother them on the ground without offering a moments respite.
It has to be said though that the power lies with Justin Gaethje, he holds concussive force and in the blink of an eye could leave any opponent in a heap on the ground. If the fight does get taken down to the may however, Justin Gaethje has great pedigree in being able to pop right up again resisting the ground pressure of his previous opponents. Khabib is a different proposition though.
Personal tragedy recently has stuck the Nurmagomedov family with Khabib’s father sadly passing away, not that Khabib needed any motivation, it’s without a doubt that his father will be in his thoughts as he prepares for this huge matchup.
https://twitter.com/Crisp_Mag/status/1319152128330522635
Prediction: We expect this fight to be managed well by Khabib, despite Justin’s ability to resist pressure, the relentlessness of Khabib should overcome in the latter rounds. A submission finish for the champion in round 4 if he avoids enough clean hits from his opponent.
Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier
The co-main event pits the antipodean former champion Robert Whittaker, against the American Jared Cannonier. Cannonier’s rise up the middleweight ranks is nothing short of amazing given he began his UFC career as a heavyweight.
Now at middleweight, it doesn’t seem like he’s lost much power if any having dispatched the likes of David Branch, Jack Hermansson, and – albeit an older and less dangerous – Anderson Silva, all with TKO/KO victories. A win here should earn either fighter a chance at the Middleweight strap held by Israel Adesanya.
Robert Whittaker however has already faced Israel, as well as the rest in the division, so his pedigree is undoubted. He is skilled in every facet, with superb striking, speed, ground game, and resilience.
The consensus and bookies are calling for this bout to go all three rounds and for Whittaker to take the decision, and it’s not difficult to see that happening despite Cannonier’s overwhelming strength. Whittaker will be looking to gain a rematch against the champion whom he lost to at UFC 243 in October 2019.
Both fighters have been cordial but have also shown extreme confidence with Whittaker claiming he is better in every way, and Cannonnier in his ever so likeable fashion aiming to overpower his opponent.
Prediction: We’re going against the grain here and calling on Jared Cannonier to add to his list of victims with a powerful finish in the second round.
Continuing on, the card also hosts bouts between Alexander Volkov and Walt Harris, and Alex Oliveira against the unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov. As always, the diverse card displays technical skill, power, a variety of fight styles, resilient fighters, and should prove entertaining.
Viewers in the UK will be especially lucky in that the main card begins at 7pm and will be available to viewers on BT Box Office.
If you haven’t done already, be sure to catch UFC’s Countdown and Embedded series on YouTube to get more of the excitement surrounding UFC 254.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmzx5PJVoSM&ab_channel=UFC-UltimateFightingChampionship
