UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov on his way to ‘greatest of all time’ status if he beats Justin Gaethje

Khabib Nurmagomedov is preparing to "go all night" to wear down Justin Gaethje when the pair meet in Abu Dhabi this weekend, with Dana White saying victory will lift the lightweight champion to the UFC’s No 1 pound-for-pound fighter and towards ‘greatest of all time’ status.

Nurmagomedov, 28-0, meets interim title-holder Gaethje at the top of the bill at UFC 254 in the capital on Saturday, which concludes “Return to Fight Island”.

The fighters faced-off for the first time on Wednesday evening following a press conference on Yas Beach, with Gaethje discarding his interim belt to say he wanted only Nurmagomedov’s gold instead.

The Russian had earlier said his supreme ground game will eventually see off Gaethje, despite him being a former NCAA Division I All American wrestler. The Arizona native, 22-2, set up his shot at the title by defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in May.

“He’s finished a lot of opponents, a lot of great guys,” said Nurmagomedov, who has not competed since his successful defence against Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi 13 months ago.

“He was a great champion in another organisation before the UFC; right now he’s the interim champ in the UFC; he beat Tony Ferguson. To beat a guy like Justin Gaethje is going to be big for my legacy.

“He’s a very tough guy, he knows how to wrestle, how to kick, how to punch. He’s a complete MMA fighter, a very big name.

“I know he knows how to wrestle, but what about wrestling for 25 minutes? If I’m going to try and take him down once and his defence is good, I’m going to go all night. This is the big difference between US wrestling and Dagestan wrestling.”

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UFC 254: Khabib and Gaethje face-off

Khabib Nurmagomedov, left, and Justin Gaethje, right, take part in their pre-fight face-off at Yas Beach ahead of what is shaping up to be “the biggest fight we’ve ever done”, according to UFC President Dana White. All photos courtesy of UFC
Justin Gaethje answers questions.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje face off.
Khabib Nurmagomedov answers a reporter's question.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje face off with UFC President Dana White in the middle.

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Asked how he would handle Gaethje’s explosive stand-up, Nurmagomedov said: “He has dynamite in his hands, a very good kick. They’re all good when they stand up, but when I grab them it changes a little bit.

"More than Dustin and Conor [McGregor, whom Nurmagomedov defeated in 2018] and other guys, he knows how to wrestle. It’s going to be a little bit hard. But I've prepared myself to try to take him down 100 times. It’s going to be very interesting Saturday night.”

Gaethje, though, is convinced he will showcase his own talent once the two step into the octagon at Flash Forum.

“I know he’s ultimately confident in what he does – he’s done it 28 times,” he said. “I expect him to believe that’s going to happen; I’ve been telling myself that’s going to happen. That’s what drives me every single day.

“I’m a performer, I always show up under the lights. That’s what I do. I’ve been doing this as long as he has; this is engrained in us. And on Saturday night, I will leave everything, give everything and be proud in my performance."

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UFC 249 gallery: Gaethje beats Ferguson

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Gaethje added: “I will not allow him to put me on the fence. And if I do then I’m screwed. My game plan is, if he wants to grapple, let’s grapple in the middle. I’ve said it 1,000 times: I cause damage. I have dense bones, and I’m going to kick his legs. That’s where it’s going to start and then we’re going to move on from there.”

Hugely popular in the UAE – he has called the Emirates his second home – Nurmagomedov acknowledged fighting in Abu Dhabi brings with it extra pressure, saying: “Of course, it’s a little bit difficult. It’s always difficult when you fight, cut weight, have so much pressure on your shoulders. It’s never easy.

“Right now it’s a special time for me, fighting here in Abu Dhabi with all this pandemic stuff, without crowds, without fans.”

On whom he wants to face next if he defeats Gaethje, Nurmagomedov said: “Honestly, I don’t like this word ‘if’. You never know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I’m focused on Justin Gaethje on Saturday night.

"What the UFC have after Saturday night you have to ask this guy [White], because he calls us and then we talk about fights. What’s going to happen after I don’t know. Right now I’m focused on Justin Gaethje.”

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UFC 242 gallery: Khabib beats Poirier

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UFC president White said Saturday's event is on track to break the record for pay-per-view buys. The promotion's reported high is 2.4 million.

"Khabib is one of the biggest stars in all of sports, not just the UFC," White said. "And what makes this fight so big is people believe [Gaethje] has the style to beat him.

"You have all the ingredients for a massive fight: you have a big superstar and a kid who’s coming off an incredible win over a highly respected fighter.

“Khabib is looking down the barrel of, not only the greatest ever in this division to do it, but if he beats Justin on Saturday, he’s the No 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world and he’s on his way to ‘GOAT’ status.

“He doesn’t say ‘if’, how long he’s going to stay around and how many more he’s going to do. But it’s pretty impressive what this guy has done.”

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe

For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.

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Al Mrzab Restaurant

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The past winners

2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)

2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)

2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)

2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)

2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)

2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)

2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2017 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)

Hydrogen: Market potential

Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.

"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.

Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.

The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Kumulus Water

Started: 2021

Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid

Based: Tunisia

Sector: Water technology

Number of staff: 22

Investment raised: $4 million

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INDIA SQUAD

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Results

5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,000m, Winner: Hazeem Al Raed, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,000m, Winner: Ghazwan Al Khalediah, Hugo Lebouc, Helal Al Alawi

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Dinar Al Khalediah, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.

6.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Faith And Fortune, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Only Smoke, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: AF Ramz, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi.

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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn

In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:

1921

1888

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The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50

Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)

Sole survivors

Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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1. Gunnevera

2. Capezzano

3. North America

4. Audible

5. Seeking The Soul

6. Pavel

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8. Axelrod

9. New Trails

10. Yoshida

11. K T Brave

12. Thunder Snow

13. Dolkong

The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

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On Women's Day

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Walls

Louis Tomlinson

3 out of 5 stars

(Syco Music/Arista Records)

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Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
Option 2: 50% across three years
Option 3: 30% across five years

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Brown/Black belt finals

3pm: 49kg female: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) v Thamires Aquino (BRA)
3.07pm: 56kg male: Hiago George (BRA) v Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA)
3.14pm: 55kg female: Amal Amjahid (BEL) v Bianca Basilio (BRA)
3.21pm: 62kg male: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) v Joao Miyao (BRA)
3.28pm: 62kg female: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR)
3.35pm: 69kg male: Isaac Doederlein (BRA) v Paulo Miyao (BRA)
3.42pm: 70kg female: Thamara Silva (BRA) v Alessandra Moss (AUS)
3.49pm: 77kg male: Oliver Lovell (GBR) v Tommy Langarkar (NOR)
3.56pm: 85kg male: Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE) v Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA)
4.03pm: 90kg female: Claire-France Thevenon (FRA) v Gabreili Passanha (BRA)
4.10pm: 94kg male: Adam Wardzinski (POL) v Kaynan Duarte (BRA)
4.17pm: 110kg male: Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE) v Joao Rocha (BRA

UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov on his way to ‘greatest of all time’ status if he beats Justin Gaethje

Undefeated Dagestan lightweight champion says he is going to wrestle his opponent to defeat in Abu Dhabi

UFC 254: Khabib and Gaethje face-off

UFC 249 gallery: Gaethje beats Ferguson

UFC 242 gallery: Khabib beats Poirier

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WE%20NO%20LONGER%20PREFER%20MOUNTAINS

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Results

Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'

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UFC 254: Khabib and Gaethje face-off

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UFC 242 gallery: Khabib beats Poirier

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