UFC 254 Easy Read Results
The Flash Forum on Yas Island aka Fight Island hosts UFC 254. The twelve-fight card is headlined by an lightweight title unification bout, interim champion Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje battles unbeaten champion Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov.
Justin Gaethje jumped into thte title picture by takng advantage of the chances offered. UFC 249 was originally scheduled to see Tony Ferguson against Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title. The Covid-19 pandemic first changed the fights location and then due to international travel restrictions changed one of the parties. Nurmagomedov was stuck in Russia. Justin Gaethje jumped in and on five weeks’ notice stopped Tony Ferguson by 5th round TKO winning the interim title belt. Now two titles become one and someone walks away undisputed.
Gaethje a former WSOF champion, has won four in a row all by knockout, three in the first round. The 31-year-old has 19 of his 22 wins by knockout. Due to all the delays Nurmagomedov hasn’t fought since September when he submitted Dustin Poirier, for his second title defense. “The Eagle” has eighteen finishes, ten submissions, & eight knockouts.
The co-main event has a middleweight title opportunity on the line as former champion, numer one ranked contender Robert Whittaker faces number two ranked Jared “The Killa Gorilla” Cannionier.
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV)
- Lightweight Title Bout: (still champ) Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) def. Justin Gaethje (22-3) by submission (triangle choke) 1:34 R2
- Middleweight Bout: Robert Whittaker (23-5) def. Jared Cannionier (13-5) by (29-28 x3) unaimous decision
- Heavyweight Bout: Alexander Volkov (32-8) def. Walt Harris (13-9-0, 1nc) by TKO (strikes) 1:15 R2
- Middleweight Bout: Phil Hawes (9-2) def. Jacob Malkoun (4-1) by KO (punches) 0:18 R1
- Women’s Flyweight Bout: Lauren Murphy (14-4) def. Liliya Shakirova (8-2) by submission (rear naked choke) 3:31 R2
- Light-heavyweight Bout: Magomed Ankalaev (14-1) def. Ion Cutelaba (15-6) by KO (pnches) 4:19 R1
Prelims (ESPN2 & ESPN+)
- Heavyweight Bout: Tai Tuivasa (11-2) def. Stefan Struve (29-13) by KO (punches) 4:59 R1
- Catchweight Bout 140 lbs.: Casey Kenney (16-2-1) def. Nathaniel Wood (17-5) by (30-27, 29-28 x2) unanimous decision
- Welterweight Bout: Shavkat Rakhmonov (13-0) def. Alex Oliveira (22-9-1) by submission (guillotine choke) 4:40 R1
- Light-heavyweight Bout: Da Un Jung (13-2-1) vs. Sam Alvey (33-14-1) by (29-28, 28-29, 28-28) spit draw
Early Prelims (UFC Fight Pass & ESPN+)
- Women’s Flyweight Bout: Miranda Maverick (8-2) def. Liana Jojua (8-4) by TKO (cut from elbow) 5:00 R1
- Lightweight Bout: Joel Alvarez (18-2) def. Alexander Yakovlev (25-11-1) by submission (armbar) 3:00 R1
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