Saturday’s blockbuster main event at UFC 254 is official after Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje both made weight on Friday morning in Abu Dhabi.
The undefeated lightweight champion, who has not competed since September last year, was first out at Flash Forum and, after needing the towel, looked visibly relieved to come in at 155lbs on the button.
Interim belt-holder Gaethje, meanwhile, weighed in a little later at 155lbs.
The American is looking to become the first man to defeat Nurmagomedov, who seeks to take his stellar professional record to 29-0. It is Nurmagomedov’s third title defence.
Having set up the clash by beating Tony Ferguson convincingly at UFC 249 in May, Gaethje’s pro record stands at 22-2.
With both fighters weighing in within the limit, it means Michael Chandler will have to wait for his UFC debut.
The American, who signed with the promotion last month, is in Abu Dhabi only as a potential stand-in should either Nurmagomedov or Gaethje have not made the bout. Chandler made weight on Friday, coming in at 155lbs.
The unification bout, one of the most eagerly anticipated of the year, tops the bills at UFC 254, which brings down the curtain on a second Fight Island series in the capital.
If you go
The flights
Emirates (www.emirates.com) and Etihad (www.etihad.com) both fly direct to Bengaluru, with return fares from Dh 1240. From Bengaluru airport, Coorg is a five-hour drive by car.
The hotels
The Tamara (www.thetamara.com) is located inside a working coffee plantation and offers individual villas with sprawling views of the hills (tariff from Dh1,300, including taxes and breakfast).
When to go
Coorg is an all-year destination, with the peak season for travel extending from the cooler months between October and March.
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2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
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Date started: 2015
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