UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov put on a masterful performance in the second round of his UFC 254 title defense against Justin Gaethje. But despite a high-pressure attack, two of three judges had Gaethje winning the opening frame.
Official scorecards from Saturday’s pay-per-view main event showed a competitive fight in the first round before Nurmagomedov’s brilliant submission attack that forced Gaethje to tap from a triangle choke in the second round of the fight.
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Veteran judges Sal D’Amato and Ben Cartlidge gave Gaethje the opening frame via 10-9 score, while Derek Cleary dissented for Nurmagomedov by the same tally.