For Khabib Nurmagomedov, the most difficult aspect of dominating world-class fighters in MMA’s strongest weight class has always been making the weight. His seemingly effortless victories over top lightweights have long been marred by withdrawals. Whether due to injury or a failed weight-cut. Although Nurmagomedov has had difficulty building momentum or sustaining interest–UFC 219 marked only his third fight in nearly four years–it’s always a special occasion when we get to see him compete in the octagon.
Many pundits (including this writer) pegged Edson Barboza as a tough stylistic matchup for Nurmagomedov.