UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje Pits Champ vs. Champ in Highly-Anticipated Lightweight Championship exclusively on ESPN+, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes
*
*UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje* *streams exclusively on ESPN+ PPV *this
Saturday, October 24 at a special 2 p.m. ET start time from UFC Fight
Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The top of the fight card
features one of the most anticipated fights of the year ‒ two lightweight
champions facing off in the main event to determine the undisputed king of
one of UFC’s most competitive weight divisions.
*Khabib Nurmagomedov*
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9n89N3gUa6SpoU-2FANXvX8kOd4lJ-2B9DqmdliwZ2m3TDe6uQ-2F0Qym9ZHOAXkaVU6Ktq0mJuM07l6haje2Q09I21iM-3Dxp2B_wWFhKAbVKMYx7l96F3hhdUuBwAiotDpM4pCw…>
*,* the UFC lightweight champion, enters the Octagon with a perfect,
undefeated record (28-0-0) and is coming off two dominating defenses of his
title – most recently in a third-round submission of Dustin Poirier at UFC
242 in September 2019. *Justin Gaethje*
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9n89N3gUa6SpoU-2FANXvX8kNeIKmOyZfh9T5T2BTvqwMJRGdMh9t7r0aWBc-2FG3Q5MKS2O5VGxGppMKsVyZ4keDuU-3DDBXV_wWFhKAbVKMYx7l96F3hhdUuBwAiotDpM4pCwHE…>
(22-2-0)
has won four fights in a row, including three first-round finishes, capped
by a fifth-round TKO of then-No. 1 contender Tony Ferguson in May – a
victory that earned Gaethje the interim UFC lightweight title.
Nurmagomedov will be looking to take the fight to the ground where his
unrelenting wrestling and ground-and-pound has been the end of many of the
best fighters in the world. Gaethje will be looking to keep the fight on
its feet and in the middle of the Octagon, where his knockout power and
striking speed may give him the edge.
The co-main event pits former UFC middleweight champion and No. 1-ranked
contender *Robert Whittaker*
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9n89N3gUa6SpoU-2FANXvX8kPCSv0sCTUS0Dp3-2BucSvlT8h1m-2BAHkQ6X-2FcO1QmNSAZ-2BvBgvtFF1-2F1-2BW8-2BG-2B5SXtxA-3D_MSO_wWFhKAbVKMYx7l96F3hhdUuB…>
(22-5-0) against No. 3-ranked contender *Jared Cannonier*
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUQc-2BnLc6HKPbA0Z-2BoqvCtBaRHDqd9leMBSfTdgiuy72pSk26d7-2F3KBUsS9A5Ta6uNBtKXv0OWzpKKcS8tHiG414-3Dij7I_wWFhKAbVKMYx7l96F3hhdUuBwAiotDpM4pCw…>
(13-4-0). The winner is likely to have a future date with UFC middleweight
champion Israel Adesanya, who has already said he wants Cannonier if he can
win this bout. Whittaker lost his belt to Adesanya a year ago, only to
bounce back with a win over Darren Till in July and is looking to be in
position for a chance to reclaim the title. Cannonier last fought over a
year ago in September 2019, when he knocked out Jack Hermansson for his
third straight early TKO.
Elsewhere on the main card, two top-10 heavyweights match up as No.
6-ranked *Alexander Volkov*
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUQc-2BnLc6HKPbA0Z-2BoqvCtBYtqOEkmhymlJGenDhl87q55haVCWo6hvptaNdxJugdzM30f9-2FErl80LyJXBAWcw10-3DghUw_wWFhKAbVKMYx7l96F3hhdUuBwAiotDpM4pCw…>
(31-8-0) and No. 8-ranked *Walt Harris*
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUQc-2BnLc6HKPbA0Z-2BoqvCtBbGLjA0gkP6qex2-2BF6IgnyDcdK4VdKpm4AW-2F7byrYpU0ltMooyLDn8aPde72GHJV5w-3DIZ2J_wWFhKAbVKMYx7l96F3hhdUuBwAiotDpM4p…>
(13-8-0) both try to move up the rankings in hopes of title contention.
Plus, a light heavyweight rematch between *Magomed Ankalaev*
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUQc-2BnLc6HKPbA0Z-2BoqvCtBZIfAqFHrl2LHoOFp7jP9u6-2Byxp3tsEFqq7K0rZ8L1UeebqKRZD4rOcQPXrAmeKCWs-3DO2EV_wWFhKAbVKMYx7l96F3hhdUuBwAiotDpM4pCw…>
(13-1-0) and *Ion Cutelaba*
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUQc-2BnLc6HKPbA0Z-2BoqvCtBZ5nq2EsdZPUXd6Cpcq4izY4FL7-2FtKoeG1w2Y2sbpamDBBOeChhIk4GPiy1jKtIn8Y-3DH2DE_wWFhKAbVKMYx7l96F3hhdUuBwAiotDpM4pCw…>
(15-5-0) will see the two fighters run it back after a controversial
first-round stoppage in February, which Cutelaba appealed.
Saturday’s coverage begins with the early prelims beginning on ESPN+ at 11
a.m. The prelims begin at Noon across ESPN2, ESPN Deportes (Spanish), and
ESPN+ (English and Spanish).
On Friday*, UFC Live* will air on ESPN2 at 5:30 p.m., providing fans with
exclusive insights and views on the biggest stories heading into UFC 254.
*UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje** content on ESPN+:*
– *Unlocking Victory: UFC 254
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUWnvA-2ByjymNK-2FgB2XdyRZEjAtzBIxTuNNqdcL0EpHH-2BZC2nb79vSB8i3qNzbRAeEY7khFQg19pSgBSHOz6WGY9BOrPtRxhXUZSPTMZJSMcTijPWM_wWFhKAbVKMYx7l96F3…>
— Dominick Cruz and Gilbert Melendez break down the keys to victory for
the fighters competing at UFC 254*
– *UFC 254 Embedded – Go inside the lives of the fighters in the
build-up to UFC 254 – Eps. 1
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUeDkgJAmaAqHk3UXGLeBb5dDdc1kRvmbtaXJlCDbAckauE4MtEjI2O9BdO8a-2BRkESyMsk3oB42-2FZ9PUFmBZ3tKrqZP7YW6Q86MBEUdBUja6sXhozIxEtLDP84dRRsqZqhQ-3D…>
Eps
2
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUeDkgJAmaAqHk3UXGLeBb5dDdc1kRvmbtaXJlCDbAckaqdoMMIF0y5bPbrVg2N86s2THT7juzMhqtxVyZRXHOYjwfne622ajlSCep33phfUpI18rWOxpLJ3fqa8SmsblZg-3D-3DW…>*
– *UFC Fight Island Declassified
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUWnvA-2ByjymNK-2FgB2XdyRZEicJL-2BeZ4nCihkc7RHvssDnlS4J1LhI03379kf2DO4osXLkT3C0zh7Fqtzg6p5Qf9DTOlhJzFh4h2aUSXiPsanK9vEL_wWFhKAbVKMYx7l96F3…>:
Four-part docuseries chronicles the story behind the scenes of the creation
of “UFC Fight Island” on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi*
*ESPN.com:*
– “Father’s Plan” – Brett Okamoto examines how Khabib honors his dad’s
memory
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUQc-2BnLc6HKPbA0Z-2BoqvCtBag71kxUHKKBqipDK53q011Vf-2FWO8IPNwCLPirYxCX3YEt37KkbKdplFEDE59fzkYz920EgOJavaYql-2F-2FGaQwiPzfXnmNp4eMpw22HVOyn…>
– “Something I’ve never felt before”
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUQc-2BnLc6HKPbA0Z-2BoqvCtBZpDWgY-2FdgRcbXGnzp0hta2QouPQwQubNVc7hBl8oh1QIS5LM1-2BW0esnyjqHjJ8e66qn5m0EErhhSF9mUDRz8sYdK9SreyJVrKkJcC6Em1-2…>
— What’s it like to fight Khabib? Hear from some of those that have
done it.
– UFC 254 Main Event Breakdown
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=fqhy0MMaq18lyVSU5ZOY3TDpLSBF9ntfpI2PV8EfoXNnR39mz5MitCBTXrdE2iiWOmuscroeaoyoEHPA6G5ZAFqq9F9-2B4CfUiekLNfii4PwBgcUGr9-2BelbQbCXGIDt3eHsLcTKA960SuKajiofsO-2Fnpuq…>
– Brett Okamoto goes inside Justin Gaethje’s journey from a mining town
to MMA stardom
– Marc Raimondi examines the story behind the hat that helped shape
Khabib’s identity
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUQc-2BnLc6HKPbA0Z-2BoqvCtBbyu5myKSNUwURkRrU2Wb-2Bhaj-2FYVyYFJwNhLq-2BezW6WeAYl74zm4Q-2FPXhKHloDEAeypDAwR0k-2BqzipPoxS6CsFUqz7noCpbbx1qjGl…>
– UFC 254: Why confusion over takedowns might affect Khabib Nurmagomedov
vs. Justin Gaethje
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUQc-2BnLc6HKPbA0Z-2BoqvCtBZpDWgY-2FdgRcbXGnzp0hta2MG-2BObdFlCrl2H71euO9tfyolctQo16LNeVgD0eGLO1mff0t-2BK6fgjDaWEk8ocW1zwezhFCuyeY8P-2FpIuR…>
*ESPN’s UFC 254 Pick’Em*
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUSwjEC65-2F3qerald8-2BMQ4XM1jp5TJmELyW46-2F3nnEN1mdIte-2B3HWVFeZ51rzS1xd8RqekmG12RNjRaKtcNUXDQfnDPxqInVvigSuJ4MqbkysCun5GexHXVEnnIXddB-2F…>
– play for FREE and compete for a chance to win $5,000
Social: @ESPNMMA Twitter
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUcsZiLbJRNadTeGF65UTAXn3JDe0AGQx6ooIbLPzmo26VG0H5JqHw1xN7FIF8ufYZ1L5bgH79SQGtMYyST-2F8ZNU06ElIJmQRltt-2F9QYz5SI7Yyf0qbQKzf7HOCqGMJAOChVJD…>
, Facebook
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUcsZiLbJRNadTeGF65UTAXn3JDe0AGQx6ooIbLPzmo26VG0H5JqHw1xN7FIF8ufYZ1L5bgH79SQGtMYyST-2F8ZNU06ElIJmQRltt-2F9QYz5SI7Yyf0qbQKzf7HOCqGMJAOChVJD…>
and Instagram
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUcsZiLbJRNadTeGF65UTAXn3JDe0AGQx6ooIbLPzmo26VG0H5JqHw1xN7FIF8ufYZ1L5bgH79SQGtMYyST-2F8ZNU06ElIJmQRltt-2F9QYz5SI7Yyf0qbQKzf7HOCqGMJAOChVJD…>
.
Fans can sign-up for ESPN+ at any time at ESPN.com
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUcsZiLbJRNadTeGF65UTAXn3JDe0AGQx6ooIbLPzmo26VG0H5JqHw1xN7FIF8ufYZ1L5bgH79SQGtMYyST-2F8ZNU06ElIJmQRltt-2F9QYz5SI7Yyf0qbQKzf7HOCqGMJAOCl48u…>,
ESPNPlus.com
<u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUcsZiLbJRNadTeGF65UTAXn3JDe0AGQx6ooIbLPzmo26VG0H5JqHw1xN7FIF8ufYZ1L5bgH79SQGtMYyST-2F8ZNU06ElIJmQRltt-2F9QYz5SI7Yyf0qbQKzf7HOCqGMJAOChVJD…>,
or on the ESPN App and purchase *UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje *PPV.
*UFC **254: Khabib vs. Gaethje **Programming (All times ET)*
Fri., 10/23
12:55 a.m.
*UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje Weigh-In *
ESPN+
10:30 a.m.
*UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje Pre-Show *
ESPN+
5:30 p.m.
*UFC Live 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje*
ESPN2
Sat., 10/24
*11 a.m.*
*UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje** (Early Prelims)*
*ESPN+*
*Noon*
*UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje** (Prelims)*
*ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes*
1 p.m.
*UFC 254: Ariel & The Bad Guy Social Show*
ESPN App, YouTube, Twitter
*2 p.m.*
*UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje **(Main Card)*
*ESPN+ PPV (English and Spanish)*
5:30 p.m.
*UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje Post Show*
ESPN+
*Main Card, Prelims and Early Prelims (All times ET)*
2:00 p.m.
Main
Khabib Nurmagomedov (C) vs. Justin Gaethje (IC)
UFC Lightweight Championship
Co-Main
Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier
Undercard
Alexander Volkov vs. Walt Harris
Undercard
Jacob Malkoun vs. Phil Hawes
Undercard
Lauren Murphy vs. Liliya Shakirova
Undercard
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
12:00 p.m.
Feature
Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa
Undercard
Nathaniel Wood vs. Casey Kenney
Undercard
Alex Oliveira vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
Undercard
Da-Un Jung vs. Sam Alvey
11 a.m.
Undercard
Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick
Undercard
Joel Alvarez vs. Alexander Yakovlev
