MMA Fighting - UFC 254 Timeline: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje

Episode Date: October 21, 2020

With UFC 254 just days away, listen to how Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje ended up fighting for the UFC lightweight title Saturday in Abu Dhabi. Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Habib Naramatov versus Justin Gachi. January 20, 2012. U.S. on FX1. Gilard v. Miller, Nashville, Tennessee. Habib Norma Gamedov makes his UFC debut against Kamal Shaloros. Nirmagamadov wins by a rear-naked choke in the second round, moving his record to 16 and 0.

Habib Nirmagamatov would advance steadily, defeating Gleeson-Tibau at UFC-148, Tiago Tavares at UFC on FX7, Belfour versus Bisbing, Abreuio at UFC 160, Velas versus Silva 2. You've won four fights in the UFC, you're 20 and O. Who makes sense for you next? No, I'm not really not. I'd just want to someone to

especially to deal with. And who I'll give me UFC should, with them I'm going to do with. I'm going to do with all of the best. But, although I'm not really going to work about the bays. Because I just, just for six years in this sport, and many of my own ways in my face,

who are for 10 years to deal. And I'm still need to rest and rest. You know, I'm not really going to call anybody out. just whoever a UFC puts in front of me is fine. You know, I've been doing this for about six years. I feel that I have a lot to improve on. So, you know, a lot of the fighters in my weight class have been doing this for about 10 years.

So, you know, whoever UFC puts in front of me is fine. Pat Healy at UFC 165, Jones v. Gustafson. As far, obviously, you're undefeating your career, undefeated in the UFC. The only trouble you really had is with the scale, last fight and maybe this one, you looked a little close, but you seemed okay. Are you confident that 155 is the best weight for you?

No, I don't know. We're all professionals and all, when in such big things, there are always mistakes. And the last time I did a mistake, I've got to this this is probably, and it's not to have any with what I've done it, the main result. You know, we're professionals, we do make mistakes sometimes, but I fixed the mistake. It didn't happen this time, and at this point, no, I'm just going to stick to a 155.

And, yesterday I've just went, He's just going to 35 years. Maybe, maybe this Poverd, he was He turned 25. Today, Josh turned 35, so maybe I dedicate this win to him.

Wow, what a moment right here. So much love. And future UFC champion, Rafael dos angios, at UFC on Fox 11, for Doom versus Brown. Well, did you see anything from Kaib? He's obviously undefeated.

He's 6-0 in the UFC. Do you see anything from him that can warn a number one contender or a title shot? anytime soon? I don't know. I don't like making those decisions the night of the fight, but yeah, he's impressive and he looks good, and he's working his way there, for sure. Obviously, this was a dominating victory against a very tough opponent, but the crowd wasn't always necessarily approving of it. I'm curious how he thought his performance

was tonight. Sopernic was in the league of UFC. Well, I think, you know, I had a very tough opponent. He's ranked number five. I think I did pretty well tonight, and I think all of top 10 really need to learn wrestling if they want to compete with me. September 27, 2014, U.S.C. 178, Johnson v. Carriaso, Las Vegas, Nevada. Originally booked in a potential title eliminator match versus Donald Soroni, Habibbiz suffers a serious knee injury during his training camp. The injury would keep Narugamadeov outside of the UFC cage for almost two years. When will you be ready? You're coming off ACL surgery, so when will you be ready?

Now I'm beginning my striking time, you know, running, lifting, everything. In January, I'm beginning my wrestling. And my doctor said I can fight April, May. And I think this date for Pet is very good, for me is very good. April, May, June, anytime, anywhere, no problem. Milwaukee, Brazil, Australia, no problem. Let's go. Let's do it. I am undefeated. And there's not a part of you that.

It says, okay, I've been out for a little bit. I want one fight to get kind of reacclimated to warm up. You don't want that. No. Warm up fight. My mental ready, my heart ready, my experience ready, I am ready, my team ready. And no one more fight. Let's go.

I want title shot and I deserve. And don't be scary. Don't be scary. You know? April 16, 2016, 2016. UFC on Fox 19. Sharra versus Evans, Tampa, Florida. Originally booked as Habib Narmagamade Up versus Tony Ferguson as the main event,

for the first time in his UFC career, Ferguson is forced to pull out of the fight due to an injury. UFC newcomer Daryl Horcher is set to face Habib on nine days notice. So he's been saying, Tony's been saying that you're afraid of him, that you're the one that doesn't want. Is it a little strange for you to hear that when you're the one who's here and he's not fighting? You agree this is stupid decision. He asked me, like after two months this day, you know, like May June, something like this. How we can ask? He injured.

He pulled out. You know, I am here. UFC give me fight versus Tony. 16 April, I'm here. Where's Tony? Tony is pulled out? Please, shut up. Shut up.

I have fight. I have fight, Darrell Horcher. I have to focus with this guy. I know what I know what to speak about this guy. If you guys have some question about my fight, about my comeback and my future. You can ask. Please forget about Tony. Ariel Halwani post-fight at UFC on Fox 19 alongside Khabib Nirmagameh who defeated Darrell Horcher tonight.

Chabib, welcome back and congratulations on the win. Can you put into words two years later what it's like just to come back and get a victory like that? I'm very happy, you know, Ariel, because two years is a long time and when I come back, now I feel a little bit different. That's why I changed a lot of things in my game, in my ground game, in my diet, in my training. Like, I changed a lot of things and tonight I show this. I don't know if you saw, but Tony Ferguson went on Twitter and said he wasn't impressed with your performance and is again asking to fight you on May 29th.

You're not interested in that, right? Okay guys, if we talk about this, I training almost 100 days for this fight, now we have before 20th 29 men six weeks and you guys want I beginning my sparring session in Monday you guys want I keep my training camp now I'm not so I'm not no no but this is stupid decision nobody do this I'm not cowboy I'm different cowboy lose a lot of time he can say I can fight next week something like this I have goal belt and I know and I feel I deserve title shot and forget about Tony okay November 12th, 2016.

UFC 205, Alvarez versus McGregor, New York City, New York. Namogamadov is matched up against top contender Michael Johnson. Are you going to fight the winner on Saturday of the main event? Is that your fight? Have you been guaranteed after all of this that you're going to fight the winner? But UFC promised? I don't know. You know something about this? If you know something, please let me know. I'll talk to you. I'll send you a text. What do you think?

You should fight the winner. Okay, what do you think? I deserve this? Yes. Okay, okay, okay. On the record. Please, if you know something about the U.S. Send me directly. Not Twitter for everybody.

Or not through your manager. Secret something, please send me. Okay. Thank you so much. In now typical fashion, Habib dominates his opponent with relentless control and grounded pound. Nirmagometov mercifully finishes Johnson midway into the third. This is number one bullshit.

I think all Irish fans understand who deserve this? I think I have a lot of Irish fans too, you know, because I dominate with all my opponents, you know. Connor come to light with and he talked about, oh, I'm greatest, but you guys know, beginning of the year he tapped like chicken and of the year he fought for the title. You know, this is very interesting. I talk with Dana between every rounds. I talk with him, I say, hey, don't send me no more your fake contract. I need real contract.

You talk about, oh, yeah, you have to finish this fight. Say, you know already I deserve this. You have to send after this fight, real contract. Say, okay, let's go finish this. After I finish fight, I talk about, I'm waiting for agreements. Maybe Brooklyn, why not, 209, 11 February, 2.10 in Las Vegas. Anyway, it doesn't matter. Like, Russia, Ireland.

I can fight with him his backyard. I can fight with Nate Diaz, Connor McGregor, Eddie Alvarez, with all these guys, same night. I can fight with these guys. Common event, main event, backyard, backstage, anywhere. March 4th, 2017,

U.S. 209, Woodley v. Thompson 2, Las Vegas, Nevada. For the third time, Tony Ferguson and Habib Nurma Gamaama Madov are booked to face each other as the co-main event. The stakes this time are much higher with an interim UFC lightweight champion belt now on the line. I want to stay honest with you guys, but of course I'm exciting about this. I can't wait when cage close. I want to feel his power.

I want to feel his striking speed. I want to feel this guy because we're supposed to fight two times before. Now we finally fight. That's why. That's why. A little bit nervous, but everybody's nervous. Nobody won't lose, you know. I have 24 win street.

You guys think I want to lose? Of course, I don't want to lose. But I stay focused. I stay focused on this guy. Hey, guys, if you check your emails, we did just announce that the Kabib-Fergson fight has been canceled. Kabib has been released from the hospital, but he was not medically clear to fight here to weight management issues. Breaking news, as you just heard it, Habib Nurmaghamanov, versus Tony Ferguson, one of the most anticipated. fights of the year, the fight that both combatants called the best lightweight fight of all time

has officially been canceled. UFC lightweight, Habib Nirmagamadov, was transported to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center Thursday evening due to weight management medical issues. He was treated and has been discharged. The scheduled interim lightweight championship out between Nirmagamadav and Tony Ferguson at UFC 209 has been canceled. July 7, 2017, the Ultimate Fighter Season 25 finale, Nevada. After a very successful run in the World Series of Fighting Promotion, the 15-0 Justin Gae makes his UFC debut against Michael Johnson. I feel like a lot of these guys think that in order to make money, they have to, you know, create an act. I want to be straight up. Facts are facts. Nobody's infallible. I can be knocked out.

Duh. It's what the sport is. We punch each other in the face. I take too much damage. Okay, I haven't taken a hard enough punch because I'm 17 and 0 with 14 knockouts. I've broken every single person I fought. Melvin Galar went to a split decision with me. He left the third round in a wheelchair. He did not walk to the back. He left in a wheelchair. You cannot make it pass up.

If you don't knock me out, you're not going to make it past a third round with me. It's easy. My pressure is, my timing and pressure is the definition of MMA. And I'm comfortable here. I'm not going to try to get away from your shirt. I'm going to meet them, I'm going to eat them on my forehead. You're not going to touch my chin, and then you have to be ready for what I'm firing back. I hit harder than you.

I guarantee it. Last thing, undefeated, you know, your WSO champion. If you beat Johnson, how far away do you think you are from a Tyler shot? Do you think you're pretty close? I'm not sure. Don't care. Don't know, don't care. I cannot look past Johnson.

He's dangerous, you know, when he's confident, so he's going to be dangerous in the first three minutes. And then, like I said, I'm going to break him. Plain and simple, I'm going to kick him in the leg, take his body, control his mind, control his heartbeat, and he's going to want to, he's going to want out. Guaranteed it. By the end of the third, he won't answer the bell in the fourth. The highlight lives up to his reputation and delivers one of the best action fights of the year. Gaechi wins by TKO late into the second round. His first showing earns Gai Chi the rare double bonus for fight and performance of the night. I'm there to break people.

Like I said, I would drop him and I'd let him up. That's what I did. And stylistically, what are your thoughts in a matchup with Tony Ferguson? That's what I want. Michael Johnson whooped his ass, so I will break him. You cannot look ahead. I'm not infallible. Never will be.

I will lose, like I said. Not scared to get knocked out. Not scared to lose. I'm scared not to perform. And I'll take every single day towards the next fight to get ready for it. I don't care who's next. I won't want to fight Ferguson, but he'll probably say I'm not worthy. He lost to Michael Johnson.

I just finished him, so he'll be full of shit when he says that. The following morning, Tony Ferguson tweeted, You hit like a bitch, you're not on my level. But if it's for the belt, I'd be glad to beat that ass for the interim. December 2, 2017, U.S. 2, U.S. 2, Haleway v. Aldo 2, Detroit, Michigan. Gae's next opponent is former UFC and Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez. He said on Monday that this is for the violent championship of the world. Are you down with those stakes?

I'm 18 and 0 at 15 knockouts. Because anybody in the history of MMA fighting had 15 knockouts in their first 18 fights? I don't want to say definitively. I'd have to look it up, but that is pretty damn impressive. Yeah, so I think I own that title already. Oh, okay. My mindset is different. My mindset is killer be killed.

I'm ready and willing to do whatever I have to do, give whatever I have to give, in order to prove a stupid point that I'm the most violent person or the best fighter in the world, which means nothing in the grand scheme of things. But that's what I signed up for when I was four years old, started wrestling. So I might as well be invested fully now. In the all-action fight, Eddie Alvarez hands Gaichi the first loss of his career by TKO late in the third round. The fight would earn Geichi his second fight of the night bonus. December 30th, 2017, UFC 219, Cyborg v. Holm, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Habib Nirmagamatov's next opponent is top contender, Edson Barbosa. Have you been told that, that if you win this fight, you will fight for the belt? Yeah, I talk with you. See, I talk with Dana. Dana told me you have to make weight, beat this guy if you want to fight for the title, and I agree with him. And are you really considering going down to 145? I know you said that earlier, or are you just joking with reporters? No, I'm not joking. you know I am serious about this but first of all I have I have I have two fights in

light with you know like Edson and Tony I want to finish this business and after we're gonna think with my team what we're gonna do but I I am already thinking about this you say Edson and Tony why not Connor to be honest I don't believe he ever come back period but maybe when money is done okay but he runs out of it but he's smart businessman you know like I think he have money And to be honest, like 50-50, but I don't think about him. In one of the most dominant decisions in UFC history, Narago made off tyrannized Barbosa for 15 minutes. After first round, I tell him, hey, Dana, you want to talk with me?

He said, yes, let's go. And I think about, let's do this one more round like this. And after I want to say to him something. And after second round, I tell him, what do you think about performance? He said, I'm sure you're gonna take this. You know, like I want to enjoy when I go to the cage, you know, I want to enjoy and When I when I when I almost take back at some barboza Mark Henny told him he don't give him back and I told Mark I'm right you're right don't give me back

You know like I'm a little bit talking to you know this is not trash talking this is real deal you know and I enjoy with that and that's why I do this I'm interesting from fan base because I grew up in mountain you know like I'm coming for nowhere like people need who this guy with headgear like nobody understand what it is like people interesting and he come to the he going to the inside the cage he smash everybody is 25 and all who this guy world champion like everybody talked about him where he from Russia but originally he's not from Russia he's from Caucasus where from his Dagestan from born you know like if we born from mountain he wresting all his life with beers you know

like this guy is crazy you know people think about this this why i'm interesting this is my opinion and uh i agree with this and i agree and i'm gonna keep going inshawa i'm gonna keep going keep smash my opponents and take this belt and my dreams retired undefeated undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion becomes one of the greatest lightways of all time. This is my dream and I follow this. And that's why I think people are interesting about me. April 7, 2018, UFC 223, Nirmagamadov versus Aya Quinta, Brooklyn, New York. For the fourth time, Tony Ferguson and Habib Noregaminov are set to face each other.

This time as the main event at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York for the UFC Lightweight Championship. UFC 223 is less than 24 hours away, Danny. I feel like I need, at least for the audience, and maybe for both of us, let's try to run down the timeline of events that got us to this exact moment, all right? Buckle up for this one. Last Thursday, eight days ago,

Tony Ferguson, on the Fox lot in Los Angeles, doing interviews, the Colin Coward Show, tweaks his knee, ends up being a serious knee injury, may or may not need surgery. But what we found out two days later, excuse me, three days later to be exact on Easter Sunday, was that the knee injury was serious enough to rule him out of UFC 223.

The original main event for a Saturday night's card, Habib Nirmagamadov versus Tony Ferguson, for the fourth time now had been canceled. So the UFC went into emergency mode. They reached out to Eddie Alvarez. They reached out to Brian Ortega. In the end, though, they reached out to Max Holloway. and he took the fight, excuse me.

Well, Max Holloway, who is the reigning defending UFC featherweight champion, had some weight to cut, and was also getting over a pretty serious ankle injury. Of course, he was supposed to fight at UFC 222, and he suffered a serious ankle injury in February, and that ruled him out of the Frankie Edgar fight. He was hoping to return in July, but, of course, he took this opportunity. Okay, so we started taking that in on Monday, Tuesday,

Holloway Habib are here. We're starting to hear reports about how much Holloway is weighing. He's cutting weight. We get to Wednesday, and we spoke at the press conference on Wednesday. It's an amazing scene. In Williamsburg, Brooklyn,

they're going back and forth. It's fun. But we did talk about the fact that maybe Max Holloway looked a little bit out of shape, you know, breathing heavily. But okay, we're hopeful that things will, you know,

resolve themselves come Friday. Thursday, UFC holds its media day inside this, Vary Arena, the Barclays Center here in Brooklyn. It's about to wrap up. Everyone's happy with their content at the face-offs. It was a great day. We've got some good interviews. Al-I-Quinta, by the way, didn't have a sign. He drew a nice little raging out sign, getting ready for his Paul Felder fight, of course. And then we get word that Connor McGregor has arrived. And Conner McGregor is here with around 10 or so of his close friends, teammates, training partners. And then we find out that Connor

McGregor and his team went to the loading dock, which is essentially underneath where we're standing right now, and they've surrounded one of the fighter buses that is holding the red corner fighters, fighters like Rose Namayunis, Habib Nurma Gamedov, Ray Borg, Michael Kesa, Al-A-Qua-Kynga, Karolina Kovacavich, and others, and pandemonium ensues. Chairs are thrown, dollies are thrown, guardrails are thrown. Michael Kesa suffers Lasserer. iterations on his face as a result of an object that is thrown, the window he's sitting inside the minibus, and he is sent to the hospital later on and eventually ruled out of his fight against Anthony Pettus. Ray Borg has glass, enter his eye, suffers multiple cuts on his cornea,

goes to the hospital, he is then ruled out of his fight against Brandon Moreno. Rose Damme Yunus, who is fighting on Saturday against Iwanian Jaceg. She is visibly shaken She is emotionally distraught, but she decides to stay on the card. Well, tons of footage emerges. It's very clear what happened. It is not a good scene for everyone, including Connor McGregor and some of his friends. All right. We get to Thursday night.

We get to around 10.30. Connor turns himself in. He does so with a friend of his Keene Cowley. They both turn themselves in just a few blocks from here, 78th precinct in Brooklyn, New York. and they're both facing multiple charges. They stay overnight in police custody at the 78th precinct. Friday morning, they are transported to the Kings County Courthouse just a few blocks away here in Brooklyn.

In the meantime, while Connor McGregor is literally being transported out of the police station in handcuffs, the UFC 223 official weigh-ins are going on. And what is happening during the weigh-ins? We get word first off, that, Max Holloway has been deemed medically unfit to fight, pulled from UFC 223. So now, Chbibh Raghamagamatov loses another opponent. Then we find out that Anthony Pettis, who was not planning on fighting after Michael Kesa was ruled out of his fight,

is going to show up, make wait, and attempt to fight Chhabib Nirmagamatov on 24 hours' notice. Anthony Pettis shows up. He weighs 155.2. And then we start to find out that he's not going to come back to make weight again. And there might not be a title fight. He might not be on the card. Negotiations go awry. Anthony Pettis is gone.

Then we find out that the UFC has called upon Paul Felder, who's scheduled to fight Ally Iquinta. However, the New York State Athletic Commission says, we don't like this matchup because of the rankings discrepancy. Paul Felder can't fight Chhabib Nirmagamatov tomorrow night. And then we find out that Ally Equinta, New York's own Ally Equinta, is taking this fight on 24 hours' notice,

the lone New York-based UFC fighter. certainly the most popular one, who has yet to fight in his home state, after everything he's been through, Raging Ally Iquinta, a disciple of Matt Serra, who 11 years ago tomorrow shocked the world and defeated George St. Pierre, UFC 69, Raging Ally Iquinta is now fighting Chabibib Nirmagamatov on essentially 24 hours' notice. However, he weighed 155.2 with his underwear. So we find out that Chbibbina Madov is eligible to win the official lightweight title, but not ally Equinta. Fast forward to the ceremonial way, and it's just moments to go inside this arena,

and Dana White announces that the UFC will recognize Ally Quinta as the champion, if he pulls off the impossible and beats Khabi and Ragh Madov, sort of a people's champion, if you will. If you didn't think that the lightweight division title picture was confusing enough, it just got a hell of a lot more confusing. And in the midst of all that, Connor emerges at the courthouse

at around 3.30 or so Eastern time, He is arraigned. He is set free on a $50,000 bail, which was put in by Dylan Danes of all people. His training partner, Keen Cowley, also released on a $25,000 bail, and they are set for their next hearing on June 14th back here in Brooklyn.

So, UFC 223 now will continue with nine fights. It started with 13. It had 13 as recently as yesterday. It's now nine-fight deep, and the main event is Habib Nirmagamadov versus Al-I-Quinta for the UFC lightweight title, we think. That's what we're told. Habib Narmagamadov would go on to dominate Al-Aquinta and become the new UFC lightweight champion. Did the events of Thursday make you more or less interested in wanting to fight Connor for the title at some point? Yes.

Why not? Hey, we have to finish this beef. Beef chicken or something like this. He has to stop eat Burger Kings and, you know, you want to fight, come. I told you guys, we're going to make him humble. I told you guys, I'm going to change this game, you know. And now only one champion. No more fake champions.

No more champion who needs. defend his title or something like this now you have champion and this champion want to defend his title you want a fight come here inside the cage come outside the cage let me know without camera without like all this media or like this like man you know like he come when when when laura's security here outside the bows inside the bus, security here, don't let me go out. Like, he tried to, hey, come out like this.

Like, why you need this show up? Like, let me know. And that's it. Anytime. April 14th, 2018, UFC on Fox 29, Porier versus Geichie, Glendale, Arizona. The highlight returns to action against top contender Dustin Poirier. Ajournaline's a hell of a drug, and, you know, I'm a I'm in the pocket and my adrenaline is pumping.

You know, my adrenaline and everybody in the arena's adrenaline is pumping. So every time you come watch me, like, this is going to be the most exciting live event going on in the world on Saturday, April 14th at about 630. So you better be there. If you are there, you will remember it for the rest of your life. After three exciting back and fourth rounds, Jorge finishes Gaichi by strikes early in round four. The fight earns Justin Gae another $50,000 for a fight of the night. You guys, this is an unforgiving sport,

and I don't recommend it to my enemy, but it's what I was born and bred to do. I got about five, five, you know, before this, I said I had six left. I got five fights. I fight for very, I fight for, I don't, I want the biggest fights possible. You know, coming off two losses,

that's hard to say, but you want to see me fight. And if you don't see me fight live, you will regret it when I'm done. I don't fight the win or lose as stupid and crazy as I am. And that sounds. I go in there to entertain people. This is an entertainment business. I fight for money. And what I do helps me get paid a lot of money.

October 6th, 2018, UFC 229, Habib v. McGregor, Las Vegas, Nevada. after a nearly two-year absence from the UFC, the former two-division champion, Connor McGregor, is set to face the lightweight champion, the undefeated Habib Nomagamidov, as the main event for UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena. They were chased from their land.

They were chased from their land to the edge of cliffs. My family, my bloodline, the McGregor clan, we stood and we fought. We fought the English Empire, so much so that our name was banished for 100 years. by King James at the time. Okay, okay, why are you going to change your language? Shoot your mouth.

You guys have your own language. What's wrong with you? Now you're talking about you. You got my English and I can't do what you're on the language. Hey, talk English. I can speak Irish, I can speak my native tongue. I can talk with you. I'm not talking to get on a language on

Turkish, Arabic, I can talk with your old. I can talk with your whole. You know what that means? Can I have a show you on the bus? But you, Ireland have their own language. What's wrong?

English change your language? Just for Dana real quick, the decision to put the Connor bus incident from Brooklyn into the promos for this fight, what was that decision like? Was that tough? Was there any consideration about not doing that? No, no. Not tough at all.

It's part of the storyline. It is what it is. There's been other situations where things have happened leading up to a fight and you play the story, the way that the story played out. Connor, you thought it should have been in there, the promos no comment what Habib same question you're on the bus and you see all this going on what what is going through your head nothing nothing you know this is show his weakness he showed me his weakness he think when he with 40

people showed you my bare hands first thing okay I'm here's my hands like no weapons two of the postmate okay two of five you guys remember when we're doing all these In backstage, here I am with no bull, we know, with no, with no, no weapons. When he comes with 40 people, he little bit changed, but this is show his weakness. Me and him is going to be alone, 6 October. And that's it. The Chechen people know what I'm talking about when I call this man a coward, when I called his father a quivering coward. Which, which, him and Kadirov were at a mosque together.

And he posts a picture of Kadirov on his Instagram site. Kadirov is the Chechen dictator, a crazy man, don't get me wrong. But Khabi's father, lick arse, lick arse, oh fucking Heolahan, post a picture of Kadirov at this mosque. And Khabib's father post a picture up, and the caption is, together we are stronger. It's such fake respect out of fear. No, no, man.

The Chechens know, the Chechen people know, that if the tables were turned and there was an opportunity for his father to stab that man in the back, he would do it in a half. heartbeat to take over and he did not do nothing and that's why he is a quivering coward because he showed fake respect out of fear and that's where that came from I don't know what his father teaching but my father teach me you cannot never give up and be respect always this is what my father teach me mama ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma my shut your mouth mate you're a door box you're absolutely dirt you to see your last fight was in Your last fight was embarrassing.

I am most active and dominant UFC champion right now. This is my third fight in last nine month, you know, and 26 and no, never lose round. And I don't know what this guy talking about. I don't understand what he's going to do 6 October. He thinks whiskey going to help him? I don't understand. I was not about you as well. You keep your mouth, your kid.

Let me take my picture. What's up, guys? 3 p.m. This conference is beginning. I am not to wait for nobody. Let's go. If you have a question, I'm here. I mean, what's your emotion right now?

The biggest star in the sport, all these people wanting to see Connor and he's not here. What's your take on that? Listen, man, I'm excited. I can't wait for the weigh-ins. I can't wait for the fight. and Connor's in a car right now, he's on his way here, so he'll be here in a few minutes.

But yeah, I'm excited. So far, so good. Everything's been perfect and I'm ready for the fight, man. No, I don't think about him. You know, I have schedule. I have schedule. 3 p.m. has to begin because I have schedule.

I have to make weight. I have to worry about myself. Why I have to think about him, he come or not? If somebody late, this is not my problem. Brooklyn happened six months ago, almost exactly six months ago. Are you still angry about what happened then? Little bit. If I say no, this is not true. Little bit, of course, I'm angry, a little bit emotional, but my job, when I go to the cage, I have to control my emotional, I have to stay relaxed, but keep going and mold this guy. Does the anger help you?

Sometimes this happened. Sometimes this help you. Sometimes it's not. But most of the, but most of them, important stay relaxed when you go to the cage this is most important tomorrow 9 a.m. I'm gonna show you my weight and see you tomorrow guys. Have a good night. What means to you to defend your title tomorrow night against Connor McGregor? Hey, first of what I want to say al-h-h-h-a-h-h-h-h-lil-h-h-h-l-h-h-lilah! I know you got this, you don't like this. Al-h-h-h-h-l-h-l-morrow night I'm gonna smash your boy guys. I'm gonna smash your boy.

Nouragamadov would finish McGregor by submission three minutes into round four. After the victory, Nirmagamadov would climb and exit the cage and attack McGregor's cornerman, Dylan Dannis. After being restrained by security, Habib would be escorted off the arena floor without an official handraised from the referee. I know understand how people can talk about I jump on the cage, you know. What about he talked about my religion?

He talked about my country. He talked about my father. He came to Brooklyn and he broke bus. He almost killed a couple of people. What about this? What about this shit? Why people talk about I jump over the cage? Why people still talk about this?

Like I don't understand. I am respect. My father taught me, hey, you have to be always respectful. My old team where I'm training California seven years, everybody knows who I am. All my friends, like everybody who know me, they know who I am, you know. And I told you guys these guys not only him his old team and him they tap machines you know I told you guys when you put him wrong way

you're gonna tap no what happened today like they call him two-time world champion like two weight classes but today he tap and that's why al-hambulah belt is here undisputed undefeated U.S. a lightweight champion and you know and I want to say to something like you know like like like people a little bit it's not people I think it's media media a little bit change in my way this is respect sport you know this is not trash

talking sport this is respect so like I told you before guys I want to change this game I don't want people talk shit about like opponents talk shit about his father like religion you cannot talk about religion you cannot talk about nation

you know guys you cannot talk about this stuff and you know this is for me very important and thank you so much thank you guys thank you for waiting for me here I know my my father gonna smash when I go home because I know he's gonna smash me and Nevada sorry Vegas sorry and alhambulillah undisputed undefitted UFC Lightway Champion thank you so much and I'm very proud about like all media talk about he take picture with with Putin, something like this, he just called me.

And he said, he's very proud of me. I win. And he said, congratulations. And, you know, I told you guys, everything I'm going to change 6 October. And I do this. Al-Handulah, thank you so much. Habib, can you talk about the fight before the brawl? The biggest night ever, and I couldn't be more disappointed.

You know, you know, me, I'm usually mad at everything, you know, but I'm not even mad. I'm just really disappointed. Dana, you said that the bus incident was disgusting. The press conference was the darkest press conference ever. Today you're disappointed. Do you regret using the bus footage, which kind of incensed, Conradle? But, I mean, looking back to kind of how it ended up right now, would you do the same again?

I would. Okay. It's part of the story. Do you feel, Dana, if you had taken action after the bus incident, like, you know, the legal process took place, but you were adamant you weren't going to do anything. had you suspended Connor for, you know, X period of time, that you don't think that would have had any deterrent. No, it had nothing to do with that. He wasn't coming back and saying he wants to jump over the fence

because we didn't suspend Connor. Jumped over the fence because Connor's guy was talking shit to him. No, understood, but don't you think that just the fact that set the tone, like it allowed that to happen if there had been some... Do you have any idea how much money it cost Connor? I don't. The whole thing that is fucking millions of dollars. But the signals...

Like, Khabib doesn't know that, or Khabib's team doesn't know that. They know that. The point I'm making, not an argument, I'm asking you a question, would be it's a deterrent effect. If you say you look in the NFL or wherever, they suspended guys for a period of time, it serves as a deterrent and other people to not do that same thing. And I guess that's what I'm saying, had you done, taken some action on the UFC part, he violated the code of conduct or whatever you want to say he did, would that not have maybe prevented some of the heated stuff that happened in this promotion?

I would, listen, we didn't, so I don't know. but I would say no. Habib Nomagamatov is given a nine-month suspension and find $500,000 by the Nevada Athletic Commission. August 25, 2018, UFC Fight Night 135, Gaechee versus Vick, Lincoln, Nebraska. Now on a two-fight losing skid, Gai Chi is set to face surging prospect, James Vick. You're welcome, James. Welcome to the big show.

You get to fight the main event. You made it, buddy. Yeah, thank you. you man. That's your last main event. You're about to be on a three-fight losing streak and shipping your ass back to the B League to fight tomato cans again. And I'll still have more money in my bank account. I got more money than you right now, bro. I fought four times in the last year and I won my fights. You lost two out of three. You fucking, dude. I've made more money in bonuses. You're a can-crush. You're a can-crusher, bro. You patted your record against B-level competition.

I made $200,000 in bonuses. You've been fucking, congratulations. You haven't made that in your 10 fights. Congratulations, don't break your hand, patting yourself on the ass, bro. You're welcome. Are you going to run like a bitch the whole time, or you're going to stand there and fight me for these people? Yeah, I'm not the Homer Sipson of MMA like you are, bro. I'm not going to take a beating, but you will get knocked the fuck out. You take 10 significant strikes per minute.

That's 50 shots a round that you ain't lasting three rounds of me taking all that beating like that. You're 29 years old and you're punched drunk and slow. when you talk, bro, so you're getting knocked out. No, I'm not going to stand like a retard and fight the way. You're going to run like a bit. But you are going to get slept. You're going to get knocked out within three rounds for short. In one of the most devastating finishes of the year,

Gaichi knocks Vic out less than 90 seconds into the fight. Gachi earns yet another performance bonus. March 30th, 2019, UFC on ESPN 2, Barbosa versus Gaichi, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gaei is booked yet again as a fight night main event, this time against perennial top contender Edson Barbosa. Gaei knocks out Barbosa in the first round. And yes, you guessed it, Gachi earns yet another performance bonus check. I was great. I was great that night. You know, this is a very finicky sport.

I mean, sometimes you're on. Sometimes, you know, you have a bad night and I was on fire that night. You know, unfortunately for him, everything I threw landed. and I was just on fire. Again, I experienced it in the big fight, the patience, the ability to see things, to recognize things, to make a game plan, you know, as the fight evolves.

I've never had that before. And so I was really excited to go in there, create it again, and I had the same experience. So I'm, you know, I'm fighting night and day from how I fought Johnson. You know, the previous, let's see, one of my 20 and 2, So the previous 19 fights or 20 fights, I fought different.

Every time I stepped in there, it was different. And these last two have been different. And you always want to say that as you're winning. But that's the honest truth. My approach is different. It's very refreshing to go in there and have that experience. I don't know if I have that one-shot power because I've never one-shot anybody before Vic.

But I mean, I think my coach told me from day one, if you have a little bit more patience and you don't try quite as hard, you will put people to sleep if you just place your shots. And so yeah, I saw that and I was like, you know, no matter what, if you get to finish, people will, that's all people will remember. So I went in there, I was like, you know, if I was to have a slow two minutes,

then I think I would be forgiven to myself as long as I finish him. But no matter how I fight, it's gonna be, I'm gonna be in their face. The pressure is nothing they will ever experience. And I just have a lot of fun doing it. I found success early and I never changed it because I kept having success.

And, you know, in life you'd be a fool to change your route if you're finding success. So, you know, I couldn't you turn. I couldn't take a left, couldn't take a right. I had to keep going down the path that I was on. And that was go out there, create chaos. And I was never the guy that never came out on the winning end of that until I faced Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Porrier. And even then, after the Poree, or after the Eddie Alvarez fight, I wasn't sure that it wasn't still successful.

So I had to go in there and do it again because I had a lot of success. against Eddie fighting that fight, and I had a lot of success against Dustin fighting that fight. However, coming off two losses, I was able to go back and say, let's change. My coach was trying the whole time. He was the best in the world. I should listen to him, but he also didn't want to say, let's change, and then I lose, and then I kind of, this is a mental game. That would have broke me in a sense.

If I was to change without losing, and then to lose then, I would have been like, whoa, you know, why did you do that? And then I would start questioning myself, questioning my approach, my technique, everything. He let the cards, you know, play out like they should have played out. I went out there, fought stupid fights and lost two times in a row. And then we were able to go back to the drawing board and make changes. September 7, 2019, UFC 242, Habib v. Porier, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The undefeated lightweight champion Habib Nomagamadov will return from his suspension and defend his title against the interim champion Dustin the Diamond Porier

as the main event for UFC 242. Wait, how many times I ask about my father? Like, he asked me about, he asked me yesterday I don't come to media. I say, I come, but I don't talk with media. I come, step down and I leave. But why I don't talk with media? Because like three months, same question. Father, what do you think about Dustin?

He's good. He's, what do you think? You respect him? No. Like, how is your training camp? Like, 90% all same. Right now, same thing. You know, but right now I want to leave, they say, no, you have to go.

But you guys have 90% same question. How many times I ask, like, give answer about my father? Maybe for this week, maybe I don't know, 15 or 20, one question. You know, it's like. The Eagle remains undefeated, submitting Porreye midway through round three. I hope, you know, it's like, you know, interesting in this sport even if you're 28 and old 12 and all in UFC you're one of the biggest star you smash everybody people are gonna talk about you have to fight with him

you have to fight with him you have to fight with him give me just respect put me on number one palm-for-pump fight next week because I think I deserve this because I dominate you know with all my opponents I am undefeated you know And I think I deserve some respect. You talk, you obviously care about your legacy and stuff a lot. Everyone wants this Tony Ferguson fight to happen. It's fell apart four times before. Dana said that's the next fight as long as he accepts it.

How important is it for this fight to happen finally? My next opponent is very good steak with burger double cheese. I won this one. you know, and with some juice with ice, I want to enjoy a little bit. Give me a couple days, guys. September 14th, 2019, UFC on ESPN Plus 16, Soroni versus Gaichi, Vancouver, British Columbia.

The highlight is booked in another main event, this time against former title challenger and former sparring partner, Donald Cowboy Seroni. Friend, foe, does not fucking matter. night, you know, I would be doing him a disturbance if I didn't try to knock him out like I have every opponent. He's a second. I just saw interviews a second man to call me Homer Simpson, and he's a second man that will go to sleep for it. My nickname is the highlight. There's a reason. I got six bonuses out of five fights. I'm 100% of UFC of either getting knocked out or knocking people out, and I will continue.

When I'm done, I hope I either, I do not want to win or lose without them going to sleep or me going to That's what I do. It's not for the faint of heart. What I do is not for the faint of heart. But I'm a different breed. I was born and raised and bred to do this. I'll say it over and over. I wouldn't recommend this to my enemy,

but Cabo is in for one tough motherfucking night come Saturday night. I promise you that. Win or lose, we're both, if it goes past eight, nine minutes, we're both on the brink of death. And that's how I want it. Gachi easily dispatches Ceruini by first round knockout.

Justin Gaichi has now earned seven performance bonuses for his first six UFC fights. I've learned that I have a couple of sledgehammers attached to these arms. So as long as my feet put me in position and I have a great coach that has to be balanced at all points, I can throw from the left side, from the right side, as I'm taking angles. That's what we're working on, and that was very successful tonight.

I was great tonight, you know, I'll give myself that. You mentioned you don't know, who deserves the next time of shot? 21st. Where do you think wins out by? Kabib Nama Gameda. April 18, 2020. U.S.C. 249, Habib v. Ferguson. Lamo, California.

For the fifth time, the champ, Habib Nirmagamatov, is scheduled to face the number one contender, Tony Ferguson, in what the UFC has called the most anticipated fight ever. It's tiram of fucking sue time, motherfuckers. We're keeping it sweet, we're keeping it savvy and we'll keep it a little classy. The hype is real. You better fucking be there, Khabib. I'm glad you showed up. Just sit it down and walk away.

I think we have to fight. Fuck your legacy. Like, I think he's, he deserves this, you know. He is real challenge. You know, I respect his skills, you know, but you know like, like fighter, he's very good fighter. But why people don't like him? Because he's stupid guy. You know, that's why. Nobody understands him. I'm very educated, motherfucker.

Like, honestly, like, he looked like stupid, you know. That's why nobody like him. But, like, fighter is a very good fighter, you know. And I respect his skill. And that's why he here, you know. Like, biggest fight on the air. And we'll see April 18. The champs shoot only, motherfucker.

I can't understand you, son of a bitch. Big excuse. fucking mat. I'm gonna mop the mat with your fucking hat. You can't wait. I'm gonna use all this for training. I'm gonna go there so soon. I know. Oh, it's gonna be fucking.

When I smash you, when I make him fled, when I make him trap. People are gonna talk about his own. I'm gonna hit you so hard in your stomach. You're gonna piss fucking blood, kid. This tip to the guy. This kid's a bully. He's never been in a street fight, never actually been thrown into a trash can or like any kind of shit like that. So now you're fucking with somebody that you don't want to.

Hey, hey, have to bring this. Sunglasses. I'm gonna I can eat you. You understand. Who are you? You never fight. You're American guy. In American, you cannot fight in street. There we go. I am from real mountain. I can eat you in street. What are you talking? All you Americans, right, that are cheering for this little bitch? I don't care all Americans. They know. They know where I'm from. I can eat in the street fight. What are you talking about?

When you fight in street? Tell me when you fight in street. When you fight this, tell me. Okay, for example. I'm from fucking Oxnard, bitch. What is this? What is this Oxford? And Muskegan Mission. Hey Tony look at me. Look at when you fight last time? When you fight last time in street? Tell the people true. Tell the people true. Man, it was a one-punch fucking knockout. What? When you fight in street? We talked about... Hey, Pops always told me you had really fucking quick. I can eat you in the streets. You think this is cage fight in street? You think this is cage fight? I'm gonna throw you in the fucking cage. I'm gonna broke you in street fight. You understand? What are you talking about? The championship match was originally booked to take place at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York.

However, due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, local government officials prohibited the show due to safety concerns and shelter-in-place orders. South by Southwest, the music and arts festival got canceled today because of the coronavirus outbreak. Any concerns, anything that you guys can do to try to... Hey, it's a legitimate question. It's a legitimate question. Legitimate question, I mean, it's got to be a little bit of a concern. right for any big event. So when it comes to safety of the athletes and the fans and everything else,

no matter where we go or what we do, we're always concerned with that. And we've been thinking about this for weeks. Dr. Davidson's been involved. Yeah. I mean, I don't know what else to say other than that. You said on your... We're not canceling the event. Well, no, I'm not.

I didn't say that. I never said that. On April 1st, Nirmagamatov announced that he will not be fighting at UFC-2. due to travel and training restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. The UFC announces that Justin Geichi will now be facing Tony Ferguson for the interim championship. No, this is the name of the game. There's a lot of nothing and then an action and then back to nothing. You know, I fight.

It's going to be almost eight, nine months now. So it's very hard to stay focused. But ultimately, I know I'm going to have a fight. and I know it's going to be a big fight. So if I'm not ready or if I make the choices to not be ready now, I will never forgive myself. The UFC declines to announce where exactly the matchup will take place, citing media scrutiny.

On April 7th, a New York Times article revealed that UFC 249 was set to take place on the Tachi Yokut tribal lands in central California. On April 9th, after a call from its broadcast partner's parent-cault, company, Disney, the UFC officially cancels the April event in Lamar, California. May 9th, 2020, UFC 249, Ferguson versus Gaichi, Jacksonville, Florida. Tony Ferguson is set to face Justin Gaichy at the Vistar Veterans Memorial Arena for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship.

On April 24th, the UFC announces the new venue, date, and matchup, as well as two more cards in the same location. All three of these events are going to take place in Jacksonville, Florida at the Vice Star Veterans Memorial Arena. Earlier this week, we reported Florida would be the destination statewide. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer was the first to report the venue in Jacksonville. Obviously, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is going to be a closed-door event. There's going to be limited media. These are all things that we expected.

It is important to note that the UFC has the support of all the important people here. Florida Governor Rod Nassantis, he has signed off on all three of these events. They're all going to be sanctioned by the Florida State Boxing Commission. The mayor of Jacksonville, Lenny Curry, he is in. Due to public health concerns, no fans will be in attendance for this event. And it will only be available to watch via pay-per-view. We're asking all the fighters what differences they've seen so far since you guys have arrived in Jacksonville. What are the differences from the normal fight weeks that you've seen so far, Justin?

There's no shuttle runs to the grocery store, to the sauna, and we have our own workout rooms. That's the only position. Other than... It tested up or pushed up our nose. Yeah, that was one that all the other fighters said to obviously a big difference. And in the past you said you've been focused on being the most exciting fighter, and now your attention shifted towards being a champion. How does that look when it comes to the fight?

you know, especially against a guy like Tony Ferguson that's going to be sort of throwing things that you're probably not going to expect as well. Can you be more patient? Can you apply that strategy when, you know, all the chaos is going on? I mean, not necessarily. I can obviously I can pick my shots.

You know, I could use my feet to get me out of situations that I don't need to be in. I can control distance when I need to with my feet. And outside that, those are the only thing, an effort. I control effort. If I can't control it, I don't worry about it. I'm going to go in there and try my hardest.

I mean, I don't know what Tony's coming with. You might try to take it to the ground right away. I have no idea, but I'm prepared for all assets and for all aspects of this game. It's we are the best in the world. Tony's the best of the one of the best in the world. I'm one of the best in the world. We're fighting to represent America against Russia's best.

And I'm going to, I'm not going to sell myself short. I'm going to go out there and perform. Is there an easier puzzle to figure out with Tony? versus a Habib. No, I think the puzzle is going to be harder. There's so many unknowns with Tony. You know what Kabee was going to do, and that's going to be take you down,

you know, try to push you to the fence. And if not he's going to try to take shots from space in the middle of the octagon, I believe that he can't take me down in the middle of octagon, and I believe I can stay off the fence. So, you know, that puzzle is written. How do you beat Tony? I don't know.

I'm going to find out. Gaichi dominates Ferguson, snapping Elkukui's winning streak and finishing him by TKO in the fifth round. Justin, the human highlight reel, Gaichi, is the new interim lightweight champion. I'm sore, my elbow sore from blocking the kicks. My finger hurts from punching his tooth. But, man, I don't look that bad, huh? For fighting Tony Ferguson. He didn't hit me with one elbow.

You know, I was great tonight. That's all I could say. I thought he was going to be faster, thought he'd be stronger. I thought he'd hit a lot harder. I always tell myself they're better than me. And, you know, it makes me push myself, like I need to push myself to be the best that I can be,

to perform at the best level. You know, it feels damn good. Feels damn good to be recognized as almost the best ever. Or the best, not best ever, but the best in the world at this current time feels pretty good. And I can't wait to face the challenge, you know, that is Habim. Yeah. At first you threw down the belt, said, hey, you know, I want the real one,

but it is there with you now. But, I mean, now that can you enjoy it a little bit? I know what you're saying. I mean, you're not the first person to say, I don't want the interim title. I want the undisputed title. But, I mean, it's still a UFC title. Yeah, no, it is good.

It feels great. That's the competitor in me, you know? That's the mindset I have to have. to face, again, the challenge that is Habib. Can't think of myself as the champion because, you know, for one, I'm not. And for two, Habib's still there. And so, again, I can't become complacent. I have to, it's always the first fight, you know.

People think they're infallible. That's what will kill you in this sport. My lights can turn. I'm human. I have a brain. As soon as you shake it, I will go to sleep. I almost did at the end of the second. But the good thing is I'm fighting humans.

And so, you know, I just perform. October 24th, 2020. UFC 254, Habib versus Gaichi, Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates. The champion and undefeated Habib Nirmagamadov will face the interim champion, Justin, the human highlight reel, Gaichi, as the main event for UFC 254.

The winner will become the undemned. undisputed UFC lightweight champion.