Here we go, UFC 254! This one is a big one, as there’s a double championship fight tonight! Plus, in the main event, both competitors are coming in with a no-loss record! Either way, one of these guys is going to cop a big L!

MAIN CARD HIGHLIGHTS

Magomed Ankalaev (14W-1L) def. Ion Cutelaba (15W-5L) via Round 1 K.O.:

A fight that was originally booked for UFC 249 (cancelled due to COVID-19) now sets the tone for the main card of UFC 254! The two exchange brutal kicks to start the first round before Cutelaba hits a hard knee. Ankalaev backs down, with Cutelaba now chasing him around The Octagon. Out of nowhere, Ankalaev floors Cutelaba with a left hand, flooring Cutelaba hard! An additional few strikes from Ankalaev had Cutelaba out for the count.

Lauren Murphy (13W-4L) def. Liliya Shakirova (8W-1L) via Round 2 Submission:

Murphy enters UFC 254 on a 3-fight winning streak, whereby Shakirova is making her UFC debut.

• Round 1 – Murphy denies the respectful touch gloves at the start of the fight, paying for it shortly thereafter via a kick from Shakirova. Newly debuted Shakirova continues to stick and move, but eventually, Murphy lands a combination. Shakirova connects with an out of nowhere spinning back fist which fires up Murphy. Shakirova tries to counter the newly found aggression of Murphy by attempting a single-leg takedown, but it’s denied and countered by Murphy. Shakirova attempts again, landing both competitors against the cage. Murphy counters again via elbow strikes, shoves Shakirova away and the horn sounds, signalling the end of the round.
• Round 2 – Bell sounds and Murphy fires out with a kick, which misses! Shakirova retaliates with a left punch and a head kick, but both also miss! Murphy reassesses and is successful in landing a strike combo. Shakirova circles around, trying to find an opening, only for Murphy to swift move in and clinch Shakirova, landing knees and pushing her up against the cage wall before a takedown onto the canvas. Both struggle for control, but Shakirova attempts a leg submission. Murphy defends via strikes. Murphy follows up her strikes by slipping into a side control grapple, but Shakirova rolls and the momentum allows Murphy to clamber onto her back, immediately locking in a rear-naked choke! Shakirova taps out and Lauren Murphy wins via submission!

Phil Hawes def. Jacob Malkoun via Round 1 K.O.:

• Round 1 – Hawes begins to hunt down Malkoun from the bell, connecting quickly with a strong right-hand punch, stunning Malkoun. Hawes follows up with a flurry of punches, sending Malkoun down to the canvas and it’s all over! Such a quick, and brutal, K.O.!

Alexander Volkov def. Walt Harris via Round 2 T.K.O.:

• Round 1 – The two contestants unload with a volley of variant strikes and kicks. Harris had the advantage only for Volkov to counter with a punching combo. Both fighters again kick simultaneously followed by a left jab from Volkov, which stuns and hurts Harris. Volkov lands a successful three-punch combination, as Harris returns with a stern left-hand strike. Volkov lands a kick combo, including a solid leg kick. Harris retreats to reset, but Volkov takes advantage by landing another huge combination. Volkov stuns Harris again! Volkov is absolutely unloading strikes, so much so that the ref chimes in to warn Harris that if he doesn’t defend himself, the fight will be over. Harris begins his defence, eventually recovering enough to fire back with a few more strikes as the two return to the centre. The buzzer goes off, signalling the end to the combo heavy first round.
• Round 2 – Harris fakes his start, tricking Volkov and Harris strikes back with a combo. Harris continues his onslaught by attempting a takedown, countered by Volkov. Volkov follows up with a right hand and a hard-front kick, winding Harris. Volkov finishes the fight with punches against the fence, as the ref calls the end to the fight.

Robert Whittaker def. Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision (All 3 Judges scored 29-28 in favour of Whittaker):

• Round 1 – Both fighters have trained hard, studied the tapes and are scouting each other out early. They start trading hard leg kicks for the start. Whittaker slips on his offence, almost getting his head taken off by one of Cannonier’s kicks! Whittaker recovers, only to receive another leg kick from Cannonier – and another. Whittaker tries to return a high kick to sender, but it gets denied! Whittaker blocks an incoming Cannonier leg kick but Cannonier follows it up with two more, which connect. Cannonier switches up and lands a punch, only for Whittaker to quickly return the favour and connects with a right hand that sends Cannonier tripping backwards. Cannonier shakes off the cobwebs and takes a leg kick. Cannonier lands a right punch. Whittaker connects with an inside leg kick but misses on the follow-up punch. Cannonier lands a two-kick combo (one to leg and body) but the buzzer goes off and the round ends.
• Round 2 – Whittaker lands a right hand, counters a return strike from Cannonier, and lands another jab which sends Cannonier backwards again. Whittaker’s on the hunt, following up with more jab strikes. Cannonier weirdly responds by sticking his tongue out, taunting Whittaker. Cannonier then goes high with a kick and follows up with a two-punch combination. Whittaker lands another jab. Cannonier responds with a leg kick. Whittaker answers back with a clean, hard jab again. Cannonier goes back to what’s been working for him and lands a few leg kicks. Despite the offence, Cannonier is starting to look tired. Whittaker fires back with his successful jabs. The famous buzzer returns, signalling the round end.
• Round 3 – There’s a sense this fight may go to decision, pressures on for either two to land a victory here. Whittaker stick-and-moves sharing his famous jabs again. Cannonier is stunned and he’s losing control of his balance – BAD! Cannonier manages to slip n slide his way to the safety of the cage wall, but Whittaker stalks him in and lands a solid punch. Cannonier is shaky and falls to the canvas, with Whittaker attempting a ground-and-pound to try and seal the victory deal but Cannonier grapples. Whittaker works his way to Cannonier’s back, Cannonier is bloodied here and it could end at any moment. Cannonier utilizes the fence and manages to get back to his feet. Whittaker shoves him away, as the camera captures Cannonier’s right eye area and it is heavily swollen. Both fighters land jabs, but Whittaker lands a hard-left hand. Cannonier responds and lands a leg kick and Whittaker lands a punch. With 30 seconds left, Cannonier finally tags, and hurts, Whittaker! Seemingly out of instinct, Whittaker shoots for a takedown and aims Cannonier towards the fence. Whittaker slips over, recovers and continues pushing Cannonier towards the fence. But alas, the buzzer sounds and ends this matchup.

MAIN EVENT – UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Khabib Nurmagomedov (c) def. Justin Gaethje via Round 2 Submission:

• Round 1 – HERE. WE. GO! The man that took down and silenced famed UFC fighter Conor McGregor, Khabib, is back to defend his title against tough competitor Gaethje!Gaethje is the first to land the first strike of the fight via a leg kick. Gaethje circles Nurmagomedov, as the champ remains eerily still. Gaethje second-guesses throwing a leg kick, but eventually follows through. Both competitors start unloading strikes, all range finders for the most part. Gaethje tries his luck at a combination but comes up short. Nurmagomedov has clearly had enough, as he appears to become increasingly aggressive. Nurmagomedov sprints towards Gaethje, trying to grapple him for a takedown but Gaethje avoids it. Nurmagomedov is hard on having this grapple work, even as Gaethje attempts to counter with a right hand. Nurmagomedov takes the hit and continues his looming momentum, following up with a stern body kick and a jab. Nurmagomedov tries a jumping knee, Gaethje blocked it, but it definitely rattled him. Nurmagomedov clearly has this round, possibly the fight, in his favour. Gaethje lands a nice combination followed by a leg kick, which he tries to follow up with a right hand – but misses! Nurmagomedov fires back by landing a solid body kick and Gaethje returns it, countering with a punch. Nurmagomedov locks in a successful grapple, taking down and mounting Gaethje and tries for an armbar – but Gaethje is legitimately saved by the buzzer!
• Round 2 – Shots of both corners reaction to what appears to be a leg injury on Nurmagomedov. The champ shakes it off, and we head into round 2. After a strike attempt by Gaethje, Nurmagomedov half-shoots for a takedown but this time Gaethje pushes it aside. Gaethje targets and unloads a leg kick, which almost sends the champ spinning on the spot! After absorbing another leg kick, Nurmagomedov gets Gaethje down and mounts him, trying again for a submission finish. Nurmagomedov manages to lock in a triangle choke. Gaethje taps out — but referee Jason Herzog missed the sign! Gaethje passes out and the fight is stopped.

CONCLUSION

Absolutely brilliant card for 254, topped only by the surprise retirement of Khabib. An undefeated career ends for the champion, which will put extreme interest into who steps up next to claim the seemingly now vacated UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

Written by: Brutaleo