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The UFC capped off their second visit to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi with a blockbuster pay-per-view UFC 254.
The event was headlined by a lightweight title unification bout between reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje. The co-main event featured an intriguing middleweight clash between Jared Cannonier and former champion Robert Whittaker.
Here are the results of the main card:
Magomed Ankalaev def. Ion Cutelaba via KO at 4:19 of Round 1
Magomed Ankalaev destroyed Ion Cutelaba in the opening main card fight of the night. The Dagestani prospect was determined to finish Cutelaba especially after all the controversy that surrounded the finish in their first fight.
This time around, Ankalaev left nothing to doubt as he caught Cutelaba coming in with a beautiful right hook-left hook combo and knocked him out.
Lauren Murphy def. Liliya Shakirova via Submission (RNC) at 3:31 of Round 2
Murphy picked up her first career submission by submitting Liliya Shakirova with a rear-naked choke in the second round. The fight played out majorly on the feet until the point Murphy took it to the mat as the 37-year-old displayed all facets of her mixed martial arts game in a dominant win.
Impressive from Murphy.
Phil Hawes def. Jacob Malkoun via KO at 00:18 of Round 1
Phil Hawes had an exciting debut on Saturday when he finished Jacob Malkoun with a devastating 18-second knockout on the UFC 254 main card. There's not much to say here, really.
Malkoun looked thoroughly overmatched and Hawes' power - and potential as a rising star in the middleweight division - shone through.
Alexander Volkov def. Walt Harris via TKO at 01:15 of Round 2
Alexander Volkov displayed his all-around game to defeat Walt Harris at UFC 254. The Russian was in complete control of the fight throughout and eventually connected with a teep kick to Harris’ midsection which folded him and ultimately led to the finish at 1:15 into the second round.
It was the perfect performance from Volkov to bounce back after being dominated by Curtis Blaydes earlier this year in June.
Robert Whittaker def. Jared Cannonier via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker bucked the odds against Jared Cannonier to prove that he is still very much in title contention.
Whittaker put on a brilliant hit-and-move style performance to avoid Jared Cannonier’s power while landing damage of his own. While Cannonier's leg kicks were a major factor in round 1, they eventually eased off, allowing Whittaker's jab and lightning quick in-and-out movement to take over in the fight.
Whittaker knocked down Cannonier with his patented high kick in the third round and while he couldn't finish him, the damage he'd landed was enough for the judges to see the fight his way.
The Australian former champion has now reeled off back to back wins against Darren Till and Jared Cannonier - two top contenders at middleweight - and is very much in line for a rematch with champion Israel Adesanya.
Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Justin Gaethje via Submission (Triangle choke) at 1:34 of Round 2
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov had, arguably, the most impressive performance of his career against Justin Gaethje.
Khabib put a furious pace on his opponent right from the get go, paying no heed to Gaethje's power and often time walking straight through his leg kicks and punching power.
Gaethje appeared flustered and overwhelmed and was eventually taken down at the end of the first round and put in an armbar. However, with the clock running out, Khabib didn't have enough time to secure the submission win.
The Russian picked up where he left off in the second round though, taking Gaethje down in the beginning stages of the round and seamlessly transitioning to his back, from where he snapped on a triangle choke to render the American unconscious.
After the fight, an emotional Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA.
Check out the full results of the UFC 254 fight card below.
UFC 254 card and results
- Khabib Nurmagomedov (c) def. Justin Gaethje second-round submission (triangle choke)
- Robert Whittaker def. Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Alexander Volkov def. Walt Harris via second-round TKO (kick, punches)
- Phillip Hawes def. Jacob Malkoun via first-round TKO (punches)
- Lauren Murphy def. Liliya Shakirova via second-round submission (rear-naked choke)
- Magomed Ankalaev def. Ion Cutelaba via first-round TKO (punches)
- Tai Tuivasa def. Stefan Struve via first-round TKO (punches)
- Casey Kenney def. Nathaniel Wood via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Alex Oliveira via first-round submission (guillotine choke)
- Da-Un Jung vs. Sam Alvey fight to split draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
- Miranda Maverick def. Liana Jojua via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage)
- Joel Alvarez def. Alexander Yakovlev via first-round submission (armbar)
