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UFC 254 is live from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The headliner is to unify the UFC lightweight championship via Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje in one of the fights of the year. In the co-main event, middleweights Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier will take to the octagon.
There are five fights on the main card, and six on the preliminary card that starts at 5:00 p.m. live on ESPN+.
We’ll be tracking all the results tonight. Below you’ll find the winner, how they secured a victory, and adding gifs and video of exciting moments or stoppages where we can. Follow along throughout the evening!
Khabib Nurmagomedov (C) vs. #1 Justin Gaethje: Lightweight Championship
Winner: Khabib Nurmagomedov
Winning Method: Khabib Nurmagomedov wins by submission (triangle choke) at 3:24 of the second round.
He’s got an argument that he’s the GOAT of his sport now, and he said he was retiring in the post-fight interview. “This is my last fight, there’s no way I’m going to be back without my father” he said. We’ll see if he follows through.
Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated American Justin Gage and defended the UFC lightweight world champion belt. He has 29 victories in 29 battleshttps://t.co/0ZjhbHq0RQ pic.twitter.com/HqR6M8hGUv
— ivan (@ivan8848) October 24, 2020
#1 Robert Whittaker vs. #2 Jared Cannonier: Middleweight
Winner: Robert Whittaker
Winning Method: Robert Whittaker wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Whittaker outstruck his opponent 71-39, and had the only knockdown of the bout. In a battle of stand-up fighters, the right decision for sure here.
#7 Alexander Volkov vs. #10 Walt Harris: Heavyweight
Winner: Alexander Volkov
Winning Method: Alexander Volkov wins by KO (kick) at 1:15 of the second round.
It wasn’t a groin kick, and it was enough to win.
Alexander Volkov earns a 2nd round stoppage over Walt Harris!
— SportsBettingDime (@SBD) October 24, 2020
Volkov (-185)
Volkov By KO/TKO (+240)#UFC254 pic.twitter.com/DoCeOXVoVV
Jacob Malkoun vs. Phillip Hawes: Middleweight
Winner: Phillip Hawes
Winning Method: Phillip Hawes wins by TKO (punches) at 0:18 of the first round.
MEGATRON WELCOME TO THE UFC!
✅ UFC debut
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 24, 2020
✅ 18-second KO
What a performance from Phillip “Megatron” Hawes (-265)pic.twitter.com/lPfsYbgCxW
#5 Lauren Murphy vs. Liliya Shakirova: Women’s Flyweight
Winner: Lauren Murphy
Winning Method: Lauren Murphy wins by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:31 of the second round.
“Lucky” Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) making it 4 in a row; with her first win via submission! #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/TE1uM8PnIP
— Overtime Heroics MMA (@mma_oth) October 24, 2020
#11 Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba: Light Heavyweight
Winner: Magomed Ankalaev
Winning Method: Magomed Ankalaev wins by knockout at 4:19 of the first round.
My goodness. The chalk is dominating this card.
Magomed Ankalaev KOs Ion Cutelaba in R1 with a clean left hook!
— SportsBettingDime (@SBD) October 24, 2020
✅Ankalaev (-330)
✅Ankalaev KO/TKO (+100)#UFC254 pic.twitter.com/zZOVZ6FIte
Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa: Heavyweight
Winner: Tai Tuivasa
Winning Method: Tai Tuivasa wins by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of the first round.
With only one second left in the round, Tuivasa lands clean and doesn’t need the first bell to get the stoppage.
#RT @MMAHistoryToday: RT @SandhuMMA: Tai Tuivasa landed a monsterous uppercut for the dub. Shame he couldn't do the shoey but I'm sure he'll get to it backstage #UFC254
— Nelle Clifton (@CliftonNelle) October 24, 2020
pic.twitter.com/WO4LjeTLpU
Nathaniel Wood vs. Casey Kenney: Catchweight 150 lbs.
Winner: Casey Kenney
Winning Method: Casey Kenny wins by unanimous decision (27-30, 28-29, 28-29).
Kenney trailed 136 to 123 on significant strikes, but executed the only two successful takedowns of the bout.
Alex Oliveira vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov: Welterweight
Winner: Shavkat Rakhmonov
Winning Method: Shavkat Rakhmonov wins by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:40 of the first round.
A flawless choke gets the -124 the big first round finish.
Remember his name
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
Shavkat Rakhmonov locks up the guillotine!
[ #UFC254 is live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/QRo69og6BH ] pic.twitter.com/KtsipubxUm
Da Un Jung vs. Sam Alvey: Light Heavyweight
Winner: Draw
Winning Method: Da Un Jung and Sam Alvey Draw: 28-28, 28-29, 29-28
Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick: Women’s Flyweight
Winner: Miranda Maverick
Winning Method: Miranda Maverick wins by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 1.
Just too much damage from the favored Maverick via a massive elbow to allow Jojua to continue. The biggest favorite on the card brings home another win at -420.
This elbow landed CLEAN!
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
Miranda Maverick takes it by TKO doctor's stoppage.
[ #UFC254 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/FbxVIAN3HK
Joel Alvarez vs. Alexander Yakovlev: Lightweight
Winner: Joel Alvarez
Winning Method: Joel Alvarez wins by submission (armbar) at 1:59 of the first round.
An easy win for the -175 favorite in Alvarez with an early stoppage.
A submission specialist!!
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) October 24, 2020
Joel Alvarez opens #UFC254 with an early armbar!#InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/4Aam4lbAcH
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