KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV defends his UFC lightweight belt for the third time this weekend as he looks to extend his unbeaten record to 29-0.
The 32-year-old has won all 12 of his UFC bouts since his first fight in 2012 when he submitted Kamal Shalorus.
Khabib has barely suffered a scratch in his last five fights
#UFC254 | Saturday, 7pm | BT Sport Box Office pic.twitter.com/9WmBBo6tpv
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) October 20, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov barely had a scratch after his win against Michael Johnson in 2016[/caption]
Unbeaten Russian was barely troubled by Edson Barboza in December 2017[/caption]
And Saturday night’s opponent Justin Gaethje knows he will have to be at his best if he wishes to inflict a first professional defeat on the Russian.
It has so far seemed like an impossible task to not only beat Khabib, but to dominate him – as shown by his face after his last five contests.
BT Sport posted snaps of the Eagle’s face in the aftermath of his wins against Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, Al Iaquinta, Edson Barboza and Michael Johnson.
And in those pictures you can see Khabib barely sporting a scratch, showing how hard it is to get near him.
Commenting on the photos, one fan tweeted: “He got more scratches from training and sparring.”
Another said: “Looks good. Never gets hit.”
A third added: “Khabib is simply a Terminator.”
His fight again Johnson in November 2016 saw him submit the American in the third round, before he outpointed Barboza in December 2017.
Khabib comfortably outpointed Al Iaquinta when he won the UFC lightweight championship[/caption]
The Eagle forced Conor McGregor to tap out in their bout in October 2018[/caption]
The 28-0 fighter destroyed Dustin Poirier last year in the second defence of his title[/caption]
Khabib was also taken the distance when he won the vacant lightweight strap against Iaquinta the following April.
After a fiery build-up to his first defence, Khabib submitted McGregor in October 2018, before forcing Poirier to tap out last September.
Khabib – who shut down ESPN reporter Stephen A. Smith for asking about McGregor – has revealed that he will only fight his rival if the Notorious beats Poirier at lightweight.
McGregor himself has claimed he was beating Khabib prior to tapping out, as he stated he won rounds one, three and four up until the ‘trip’.
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Taking to Twitter, he said: “Round 1’s mine. Out struck 3-1. Elbow, knees, clatters! He held on.
“Two is his but I land multiple knees. One from standing after the overhand, and one from bottom into the eye socket at kimura attempt.
“Not a scratch end of round also. I won round three, and four until the trip.”
