The proceedings ahead of the highly-anticipated matchup between reigning lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champion Justin Gaethje for UFC 254 proved to be a controversial one. Both fighters ultimately made the maximum weight of 155 pounds, but fans stirred some speculation and looked into the Russian's weigh-in.
As per ESPN MMA, the Eagle was noticeably drained and needed to strip down bare before being helped onto the scale.
A relieved @TeamKhabib makes weight at 155 pounds for the #UFC254 main event. pic.twitter.com/3YvDpemL1s
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 23, 2020
On the other hand, Gaethje was anything but worried upon stepping foot on the scales and looked fully confident that he will make the weight.
Coming in at championship weight of 155 pounds, @Justin_Gaethje makes the #UFC254 main event official. pic.twitter.com/RXSUwqJMNJ
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 23, 2020
The Russian heads into the match with an undefeated 28-0 record and currently holds the longest active undefeated streak in MMA while being the reigning UFC lightweight champion. Nurmagomedov was scheduled to defend his title against Tony Ferguson on April 18, 2020 at UFC 249. However, Nurmagomedov was unable to leave Russia as the country previously restricted air travel for the time being due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, his American opponent in Gaethje holds a 22-2 record with the interim lightweight championship belt on hand after beating Tony Ferguson in a postponed fight back in May of 2020. The 31-year old dominated the encounter and stopped Ferguson via TKO in the fifth round. The win by Gaethje ultimately ended his opponent's record of 12 wins in a row.
He also continued his bonus award streak after the victory, thus earning the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards. This made Gaethje the only fighter in UFC history to win at least one fight night bonus in each of his first seven appearances.
The unification bout between the two belt-holders will commence on October 24 at Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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