UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov gets a champion’s welcome in Abu Dhabi

Lightweight champion touched down in the capital ahead of his clash this weekend against interim belt-holder Justin Gaethje

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Khabib Nurmagomedov was given a champion’s welcome upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi, as he gets set for possibly the greatest challenge in his career at UFC 254 on Saturday.

The lightweight champion, undefeated in all 28 professional bouts, touched down in the capital on Sunday ahead of his clash this weekend against interim belt-holder Justin Gaethje.

The match-up, one of the most anticipated of the year, brings to a close the five-event “Return to Fight Island”, the UFC's second residency in Abu Dhabi.

The promotion has released its first episode of Embedded, which charts the journey of some of the athletes competing at UFC 254.

Nurmagomedov, who spent the past month training in Dubai, made the short journey between emirates, and received a memorable greeting from excited staff at the W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island.

The full vlog episode can be viewed here.