Khabib Nurmagmedov. Photo: Instagram/@khabib_nurmagmedov
After the overriding success of the UFC’s Fight Island championship series back in July, there’s an enthralling return to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island on the cards for a five-fight series this September and October.
The headline bout will feature the much-anticipated return of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagmedov, who will face first-time challenger Justin Gaethje.
Things will kick off with UFC 253 on September 27 and climate with UFC 254 on October 24. This is part of five shows that will take place on Yas Island between October 4, 11 and 18.
“We’re going to Fight Island. They all have these big plans on how we’re going to announce all this stuff. The Ultimate Fighter is coming back, too,” said UFC boss Dana White. “I start filming that when I come back from Fight Island. We’ve got the Contender Series. Lots of things going on.”
2 champion, 4 former champion, 4 title challengers. How do you like this card with full of killers. Best card of the year. #ufc254 pic.twitter.com/iVs2LRORWw
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 2, 2020
UFC 253 will see the start of the second series of ‘Fight Island’ events on Sept. 26. The pay-per-view show will be feature undefeated middleweight champion Israel Adesanya against 13-0 challenger Paulo Costa. Co-headliners Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will be going all out for the light heavyweight title up for grabs.
The hot ticket clash between undisputed lightweight king Khabib and interim titleholder Gaethje will then take place on Oct.24.
Khabib is unbeaten in 28 professional mixed martial arts appearances, and currently sits at a 12-0 in the UFC tables. Gaethje holds the belt currently having defeated Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 back in May. His record stands at 22-2 (UFC 5-2).
Whatever the outcome, this series promises some unmissable juggernaut clashes.
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