Khabib Nurmagomedov recently dashed any hopes of coaching opposite of Conor McGregor for the return of "The Ultimate Fighter," telling ESPN that he wouldn't do it even if the UFC offered him $5 billion.
While "The Eagle" isn't into reigniting his rivalry with McGregor, he's all in for defending his lightweight world championship against a more than game Justin Gaethje in the headliner of UFC 254 on Saturday. The pay-per-view will take place at the Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
There, the undefeated Nurmagomedov will look to make his third straight defense of the lightweight title after submitting both Dustin Poirier via rear-naked choke last September and McGregor by neck crank in October 2018.
MORE: Champion vs. Champion: Watch Khabib vs. Gaethje, only ESPN+
A fighter as wise as Nurmagomedov has to realize how dangerous Gaethje is, as the American has demonstrated a willingness to use his body to indulge in sheer violence time and time again. Ever since suffering back-to-back knockout losses to Eddie Alvarez and Poirier, Gaethje has rattled off four straight KOs of his own, including the fifth-round stoppage of Tony Ferguson in May that crowned him the interim UFC lightweight champion.
Of course, Nurmagomedov was supposed to face Ferguson in that UFC 249 headliner, before the coronavirus pandemic scratched the proposed fight for a fifth time. Now, after witnessing how Gaethje handled Ferguson, Nurmagomedov will look to make an example out of "The Highlight."
Will Khabib make Gaethje tap, or will Gaethje go to the most extreme lengths to end the reign of "The Eagle?"
Here is everything you need to know about UFC 254, including how to watch Khabib vs. Gaethje, its start time, odds and full card info.
UFC 254 start time
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
- Early prelims: 11 a.m. ET
- Prelims: 12 p.m. ET
- Main card: 2 p.m. ET
- Live stream: ESPN+
UFC 254 takes place Saturday, Oct. 24. Early prelims get underway at 11 a.m. ET, followed by prelims at noon and the main card pay-per-view at 2 p.m. ET.
How to watch UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje
In the United States, the UFC Fight Pass prelims, beginning at 11 a.m. ET, will be simulcast on UFC Fight Pass, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ in English and Spanish. The prelims will continue on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 12 p.m. ET, followed by the main card pay-per-view on ESPN+, beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
In Canada, the early prelims are on TSN and UFC Fight Pass. The prelims are on TSN and RDS, and the main card pay-per-view is available on Bell, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, Eastlink, and UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass.
Khabib vs. Gaethje PPV price: How much does UFC 254 cost?
In the U.S., the UFC 254 main card is available via pay-per-view on ESPN+, which also requires a subscription. The PPV price for UFC 254 is $64.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $84.98 for the UFC 254 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers a savings of over 25 percent.
Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.
Where is UFC 254?
UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje will take place at Fight Island at the Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi without fans in attendance due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Nurmagomedov submitted Dustin Poirier via a rear-naked choke in Abu Dhabi last September, while Gaethje has never fought in Abu Dhabi.
Khabib vs. Gaethje odds for UFC 254
According to Bet MGM, Nurmagomedov is the significant favorite at -304, meaning you would have to bet $304 to win $100. Gaethje is listed as a +245 underdog, signaling that a bet of $100 would net you $245 if he pulls off the upset.
Khabib Nurmagomedov record
- Name: Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Nationality: Russian
- Born: September 20, 1988
- Height: 5-10
- Reach: 70 inches
- Total fights: 28
- Record: 28-0
Justin Gaethje record
- Name: Justin Gaethje
- Nationality: American
- Born: Nov. 14, 1988
- Height: 5-11
- Reach: 70 inches
- Total fights: 24
- Record: 22-2
UFC 254 fight card
Main card
- Khabib Nurmagomedov (c) vs. Justin Gaethje for Nurmagomedov's lightweight title
- Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier; Middleweight
- Alexander Volkov vs. Walt Harris; Heavyweight
- Jacob Malkoun vs. Phillip Hawes; Middleweight
- Lauren Murphy vs. Liliya Shakirova; Women's flyweight
- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba; Light heavyweight
Preliminary card
- Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa; Heavyweight
- Nathaniel Wood vs. Casey Kenney; Bantamweight catchweight
- Alex Oliveira vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov; Welterweight
- Da Un Jung vs. Sam Alvey; Light Heavyweight
Early prelims
- Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick; Women's flyweight
- Joel Alvarez vs. Alexander Yakovlev; Lightweight
