Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 254 live on
your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the
ESPN app. Khabib
Nurmagomedov stands alone. In his first appearance since the death of his father, the American
Kickboxing Academy ace choked Justin
Gaethje unconscious with a second-round triangle to retain his
undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title in the
UFC 254 headliner on Saturday at the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates. Gaethje (22-3, 5-3 UFC) went limp 1:34 into
Round 2, as he was submitted for the first time in his 25-fight
career.
Afterward, Nurmagomedov (29-0, 13-0 UFC) announced his
retirement.
“This is my last fight.”@TeamKhabib
pays his respects following a dominant performance at
#UFC254 pic.twitter.com/5HiUvJXBJC— UFC (@ufc)
October 24, 2020
“The Eagle” pushed his counterpart beyond his bounds with
relentless pressure and maniacal forward movement. Gaethje
connected with a number of his patented leg kicks but could not
keep the champion at bay. Nurmagomedov struck for a takedown in the
closing seconds of the first round, advanced to full mount and
threatened with an armbar. It was a harbinger for what was to
come.
Nurmagomedov executed another takedown early in Round 2, framed an
arm-triangle and then moved to a mounted triangle. Before Gaethje
could muster a defense, the choke was cinched and his fate was
sealed.
Rejuvenated Whittaker Denies Cannonier
Onetime middleweight champion Robert
Whittaker likely cemented himself as the No. 1 contender at 185
pounds, as he laid claim to a unanimous decision over Jared
Cannonier in the three-round co-main event. All three cageside
judges arrived at the same verdict: 29-28 for Whittaker (22-5, 13-3
UFC).
Cannonier (13-5, 6-5 UFC) focused his efforts on “The Ultimate
Fighter: The Smashes” winner’s legs, delivering a series of
damaging kicks behind the knee. It was not nearly enough to keep
Whittaker at bay. “The Reaper” buried one jab after another into
Cannonier’s face, his repeated punches resulting in visible
swelling and ultimately a crescent-shaped cut beneath the MMA Lab
export’s right eye. Whittaker nearly finished it in the third
round, where he uncorked a devastating jab-cross-head kick
combination that had his counterpart stumbling across the cage.
Cannonier somehow survived and even wobbled the former titleholder
with a sneaky straight right hand in the waning moments of the
fight. However, Whittaker quickly gathered himself, drew the Dallas
native into the clinch and let the remaining seconds tick off the
clock.
Whittaker, 29, has won 11 of his last 12 fights—an October 5, 2019
knockout loss to current middleweight king Israel
Adesanya his only misstep.
Volkov Body Kick Vanquishes Harris
Former M-1 Global
and Bellator
MMA champion Alexander
Volkov cut down Walt Harris
with a body kick and follow-up punches in the second round of their
heavyweight showcase. Harris (13-9, 6-8 UFC) bowed out 1:15 into
Round 2, suffering his second setback in five months.
The 31-year-old Volkov (32-8, 6-2 UFC) controlled the exchanges
with superior standup skills, as he utilized his 80 inches of reach
to the fullest extent. He fired stiff jabs to the head, hammered
the body with kicks and had Harris reeling more than once in the
first round. The situation did not improve for “The Big Ticket.”
Volkov doubled over the Alabama native with a front kick between
the liver and the solar plexus early in the second round, offered
no refuge and assaulted him with punches until the job was
done.
Volkov has posted eight victories across his past 10
appearances.
Hawes Wrecks Undefeated Malkoun
Sanford MMA Phil Hawes
needed less than half a minute to bury fellow Octagon rookie
Jacob
Malkoun with punches in the first round of their featured
middleweight pairing. Malkoun (4-1, 0-1 UFC) met his end 18 seconds
into Round 1, as he crashed and burned for the first time as a
professional.
Hawes (9-2, 1-0 UFC) from the start moved forward with purpose,
corralled the PMA Super Martial Arts representative along the cage
and unleashed his fists. He staggered Malkoun with a right hand,
paused to survey the scene and swooped in for the kill. Two
sweeping hooks, one from each hand, sent the unconscious “Mamba”
facedown to the canvas.
The 31-year-old Hawes has now recorded five consecutive wins.
Murphy Choke Submits Shakirova
Former Invicta Fighting Championships titleholder
Lauren
Murphy submitted Liliya
Shakirova with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their
women’s flyweight showcase. A short-notice replacement for Cynthia
Calvillo, Shakirova (8-2, 0-1 UFC) conceded defeat 3:31 into
Round 2.
The 37-year-old Murphy (14-4, 6-4 UFC) bided her time while the
Octagon newcomer ran her gas tank dry with incessant lateral
movement and quick-twitch strikes. Shakirova was effective in
punching and kicking at range through the first five minutes.
However, by the time the second round arrived, she was on fumes.
Murphy hit the accelerator, executed a takedown and wheeled around
to the back when the opportunity presented itself. Soon after, the
choke was in place and the result was a formality.
Murphy will carry a four-fight winning streak into her next
assignment.
Emerging Ankalaev Flattens Cutelaba
Akhmat Fight Team export Magomed
Ankalaev wiped out Ion
Cutelaba with punches in the first round of their long-delayed
light heavyweight rematch. Cutelaba (15-6, 4-5 UFC) succumbed to
blows 4:19 into Round 1, as he lost for the third time in four
appearances.
Ankalaev (14-1, 5-1 UFC) was patient and measured. He connected
with a front kick to the face, drew Cutelaba into punching range
and let his hands and reflexes do the rest. Ankalaev knocked down
the Moldovan with a counter straight left, reset and went back on
the hunt. He countered an ill-conceived Cutelaba backfist with a
crushing left hook, pounced on his fallen rival and rendered him
unconscious with a volley of punches and hammerfists.
The 28-year-old Ankalaev has rattled off five straight victories
and now owns a 2-0 lead in his head-to-head series with
Cutelaba.
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Stefan Struve 
