Multiple sources have informed that the UFC 253 will feature the lightweight unification bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje.
The UFC 253 is set for September 19, but its location isn’t revealed yet. Having in mind that it should be one of the biggest fights in the previous years, we can expect that information pretty soon.
Dana White announced last month that he and his organization were trying to book the fight between the two belt-holders, and he stated that he targets September for this spectacle. At that point, they didn’t finalize the deal, but now, the situation is different.
We need to stress out that there hasn’t been any official confirmation from either of the sides. However, if this comes out to be true, we will see a fight for the unified lightweight champion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=summBP939zg
Khabib is the current champ, with their record of 28 wins without a single loss. His last win came in September last year at the UFC 242 against Dustin Poirier. The Russian Eagle was supposed to clash with Tony Ferguson at the UFC 249, but the chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemics forced him to drop out and skip the bout.
Gaethje has 22 triumphs and two losses. He replaced Nurmagomedov at the UFC 249, and completely demolished Ferguson. Just a few expected to see his win, but according to many, the way he handled El Cucuy was pretty impressive. Ferguson suffered arguably, the biggest beating in his professional career, and his 12-fight triumphant streak was stopped.
That meeting was for the interim title of the lightweight division, and after winning the same, the Highlight, as the fans call him, earned the right to challenge Khabib. Previously, he posted three straight first-round knockouts, against Cowboy Cerrone, Edson Barbosa, and James Vick, proving that he is one of the most vicious guys in this division.
After the match with Ferguson, several fighters challenged Gaethje, among them Conor McGregor, but the American was focused solely on Nurmagomedov.
Regarding the venue of this spectacle, several locations are in option, with the USA and Abu Dhabi standing above all others. Like with all other decisions, White and the UFC will wait and see what happens with COVID-19 pandemics, and decide in accordance with the current circumstances.
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