Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Khabib Nurmagomedov left no doubt of his status as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter with a second-round submission of Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
Nurmagomedov extended his unbeaten streak to 29-0 and unified the lightweight title with a tapout of interim champ Gaethje via triangle choke.
Leading into the fight, there were questions about how the champ would deal with the pressure of defending his title after the death of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, while also facing the apparent toughest test of his lightweight career.
The younger Nurmagomedov answered those and made it clear he’s one of the best-ever to fight in the octagon.
See how fighters reacted to UFC 254’s main event.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje
It’s @TeamKhabib time! #UFC254
— player/coach (@CMPunk) October 24, 2020
I’m so torn on the main event, but smart money says this is like betting against Mayweather in boxing! Have to believe The Eagle will get it done again! #UFC254
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 24, 2020
It’s @Justin_Gaethje TIME! He’s gonna do something that no one has done and finish Khabib #ufc254
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) October 24, 2020
Usa vs russia and Justin doesn’t come out to a rocky song what a waste…#UFC254
— sheldon westcott (@sheldonwestcott) October 24, 2020
Let’s go!!!!! Been waiting for what feels like forever for this one.
— michael (@bisping) October 24, 2020
I want @TeamKhabib to win
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) October 24, 2020
#UFC254 I’m going with Gaethje for this one. BY KO!
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
That’s awesome, corners don’t need masks anymore Khabib’s presence kills all Corona in 30ft radius ..
— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) October 24, 2020
Khabib’s pressure is nuts. Justin too reactive in the first. @ufc #UFC254
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) October 24, 2020
10-9 Khabib
— “Young Superstar” (@Benaskren) October 24, 2020
Khabib you’re scaring me maaaan allow the striking just do what you do best please
— Darren Stewart (@Darren_mma) October 24, 2020
That pressure is no joke….Justin struggling to get his breath back. #UFC254
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) October 24, 2020
That pressure from @TeamKhabib #UFC254
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) October 24, 2020
How the fuck do you train for this pace #UFC254
— Tyson Pedro (@tyson_pedro_) October 24, 2020
Whitebelt
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 24, 2020
The BEST EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 24, 2020
#UFC254 #Khabib just proved why he is the champ
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
The best to ever do it @TeamKhabib
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) October 24, 2020
What the f*** was that ref waiting for
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) October 24, 2020
Holy freakin WOW!! Khabib is the greatest to ever do it!! Outstanding performance!
— Eddie Wineland (@EddieWineland) October 24, 2020
Damn, levels to this shit
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) October 24, 2020
Didn’t realize Justin’s BJJ was so suspect. No defense for those transitions
— “Young Superstar” (@Benaskren) October 24, 2020
damn referee let Gaethje down
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
his transition once he hit the take down was straight
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouse) October 24, 2020
Undisputed
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 24, 2020
So dope!! congrats @TeamKhabib https://t.co/DQ2CxMtRJr
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) October 24, 2020
Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier
I think cannonier gets is done #UFC254
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) October 24, 2020
Massive fight for the middleweight division!! #UFC254
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) October 24, 2020
Jared is a bad bwooooooy #UFC254
— Darren Stewart (@Darren_mma) October 24, 2020
Interesting fight here #UFC254
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) October 24, 2020
THIS FIGHT IS GONNA BE INSANE ! Good luck boys #UFC254
— Michel Pereira ufc (@UfcPereira) October 24, 2020
Whittaker starting to find a bit of a groove.
— “Young Superstar” (@Benaskren) October 24, 2020
Retweet if you think title eliminators should be 5 rounds. Whittaker vs Cannonier deserves a full 25. @ufc
— Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) October 24, 2020
Close first round!! Power shots all day!! #UFC254
— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) October 24, 2020
Zoom lets go
— D (@darrentill2) October 24, 2020
Those low kicks are working. #UFC254
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) October 24, 2020
2-0 for Whittaker in my eyes, but those leg kicks are adding up. #UFC254
— Edmen Shahbazyan (@edmenshahbazyan) October 24, 2020
Whittaker is in the zone #ufc254
— jack hermansson (@jackthejokermma) October 24, 2020
I think Whitaker is going to finish him in this third round! #ufc254
— Ian Heinisch (@ianheinischmma) October 24, 2020
Damn how did Cannonier survive!!
— “Young Superstar” (@Benaskren) October 24, 2020
Wooooow Jesus is looord #UFC254
— Darren Stewart (@Darren_mma) October 24, 2020
#ufc254 definitely need a 4th round
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
Not enough round for this fight !! Massive war #UFC254
— Volkan Oezdemir (@volkan_oezdemir) October 24, 2020
Low kicks were a good idea, but you need so much more to win with Whittaker. Precise boxing in all rounds and this great high kick in the third by Robert. Congrats @robwhittakermma.
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) October 24, 2020
What a fight!!! @robwhittakermma was looking extremely sharp. Heal up @killagorillamma #ufc254
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) October 24, 2020
Whittaker for 185lbs NMF!!
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) October 24, 2020
Alexander Volkov vs. Walt Harris
I’m so pumped right now for my best friend @thebigticket205 show the world who you are and everything you been through to get here big bro LFG #ufc242 #ForeverAniah
— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) October 24, 2020
Really rooting for Walt Harris tonight #UFC254
— D (@darrentill2) October 24, 2020
Volkov’s Tattoo is SCARY #ufc254
— Emil Valhalla Meek (@emilvalhalla) October 24, 2020
Hnnnnnnghhhhh #ufc254
— Emil Valhalla Meek (@emilvalhalla) October 24, 2020
Front kicks hurt like hell #UFC254
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 24, 2020
Get placement with that body kick. Similar to how Semmy used to do it
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) October 24, 2020
Man I know what that feels like!!! They suuuuuuuuck!
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) October 24, 2020
That was right in the sternum u can’t move if u get hit good there
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 24, 2020
Jacob Malkoun vs. Phil Hawes
@contender_series_dwtcs and @darustrong_performance_center homie @philliphawes is getting ready to do work. Tune in. https://t.co/H6xWqYzXLs
— Greg “The Prince of War” Hardy (@GregHardyJr) October 24, 2020
Wow hawes got paws!!!
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 24, 2020
Phil Hawes got some serious power #ufc254
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) October 24, 2020
what an introduction @philliphawes5 !!!! #megatron #UFC254
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) October 24, 2020
Lauren Murphy vs. Liliya Shakirova
Ok Laurennnnnn!! Good stuff #UFC254
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) October 24, 2020
Hell ya!! Way to go @LaurenMurphyMMA ! Give her the shot at the title! #UFC254
— BRYAN BARBERENA (@bryan_barberena) October 24, 2020
Congratulations, @LaurenMurphyMMA . I also think you deserve the next title shot 10000%!!! @ufc #ufc
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) October 24, 2020
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
These two here are intense. One of them going to schleeeeppppp
— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) October 24, 2020
Maybe the winner can be my next toy #UFC254
— Johnny Walker (@JohnnyWalker) October 24, 2020
Sooooo my husband just pronounced it “coochie lava” I’m dead.
— Julia Avila (@RagingPandaMMA) October 24, 2020
This ref want to make it no question at all
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) October 24, 2020
Another bad stoppage @ufc #UFC254
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) October 24, 2020