It’s time!
Well, it’s almost time! For UFC 254, one of the biggest pay-per-view (PPV) combat sports cards of the year, which goes down Oct. 24, 2020. Headlined by Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov versus No. 1-ranked contender Justin Gaethje, it’s a fight that’s guaranteed to generate fireworks however it turns out. We assume regular MMAmania.com readers are hyped to the hilt for this show already, but if you’re still trying to get your fight ignoramus friends on board, what better way to convert them than with this slickly produced UFC 254 “Countdown” show.
UFC has kindly shared the entire 48 minute video with everyone on YouTube for consumption, and it goes over the past several months in dramatic detail: the Coronavirus pandemic that has rocked the world and forced UFC to take refuge on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi. Khabib’s father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov succumbing to COVID-19 over the summer. His rocky road back into the gym. The haunted look in his eye. And Justin Gaethje, the killer, looking relaxed and content and training harder than ever.
Will this finally be the fight that sees Khabib taste defeat for the first time in his MMA career?
Also featured on UFC 254 “Countdown” is the fight between Jared Cannonier and Robert Whittaker for the chance to fight Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya down the road. “The Last Stylebender” has already said he looks forward to facing Cannonier. And even though Adesanya just beat Whittaker to take the belt a few fights ago, UFC President, Dana White, has made it clear Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 would be a massive fight in Australia / New Zealand where Whittaker and Adesanya fight out of, making a runback a very appealing (and profitable) idea.
Cannonier is an under-appreciated contender so this is a great way to catch up on his fine work in the cage (and crunchy crystal fixation outside of it). Whittaker? We never pass up an opportunity to enjoy Bobby Knuckles’ violent performances.
Here’s the full UFC 254 card as it stands:
PPV Main Card (2 p.m. ET)
- Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje
- Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier
- Alexander Volkov vs. Walt Harris
- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cuțelaba
- Jacob Malkoun vs. Phil Hawes
Late “Prelims” Under Card (12 p.m. ET)
- Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa
- Alex Oliveira vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
- Da Un Jung vs. Sam Alvey
Early “Prelims” Under Card (10:30 a.m. ET)
- Nathaniel Wood vs. Casey Kenney
- Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick
- Joel Alvarez vs. Alexander Yakovlev
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 254 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN 2/ESPN+ at 12 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 254: “Khabib vs. Gaethje” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
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