Nurmagomedov submits Gaethje to defend title, announces UFC retirement

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

No matter how good you execute your gameplan, it really needs a superior effort to take down a complete champion.

Khabib Nurmagomedov showed why he is the undisputed UFC lightweight king after controlling the ground game to pull-off an astonishing triangle choke that submitted challenger Justin Gaethje in the second round of their main event clash in UFC 254.

It was Gaethje who dictated the tempo in the early round after negating Nurmagomedov’s wrestling game by firing heavy leg-kicks to keep his distance.

With Gaethje’s strategy working, Nurmagomedov and his camp were quick with their decision of staying patient and to wait for the perfect time for his takedowns.

The undefeated champion picked Gaethje apart in the second round and chose his spots wisely compared to his first round performance where he got a little bit impatient with his attempts.

After Gaethje had the opening to throw a leg kick, Nurmagodemov was quick to counter with a drive to take him down and quickly positioned in an attempt to execute the triangle choke.

Moments later, the Russian ground specialist had the perfect time to lock in, rolled his back, and squeezed Gaethje to choke him out and claim another UFC title defense.

In an emotional MMA return amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Nurmagomedov then released a surprising statement involving his retirement in the sport he dominated for years.

“Thank you for these guys, these guys with me, been with my father for more than 10 years. All my team, AKA with coach Javier, I love him so much, all my team. Today, I want to say, this was my last fight. No way am I going to come here without my father. It was first time, after what happened with my father, when UFC called me about Justin. I talk with my mother three days, she don’t want that I go fight without father. I promised her, it’s going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow this. It was my last fight here,” said the undisputed UFC champ.