UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje arrive in Abu Dhabi ahead of title bout - in pictures

Lightweight champion goes up against interim belt-holder Gaethje in headline bout on Saturday

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Khabib Nurmagomedov arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday ahead of his highly-anticipated bout against Justin Gaethje at this weekend's UFC 254.

Nurmagomedov, the lightweight champion who boasts a perfect record of 28 wins from as many professional bouts, takes on interim belt-holder Gaethje (22-2) at the Flash Forum to close out the "Return to Fight Island" series.

It will be the Russian's first return to the octagon since he defeated Dustin Poirier at UFC 242, also in Abu Dhabi, in September 2019.

Both fighters arrived in the safe zone on Yas Island along with co-main event duo Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier as well as Phil Hawes, Jacob Malkoun, Lauren Murphy and Liliya Shakirova.