Khabib Nurmagomedov suspects Justin Gaethje was suffering from jet lag in Abu Dhabi during their UFC 254 battle
Just a few days before UFC 280, Khabib Nurmagomedov spoke about his experience against Justin Gaethje and the impact of jet lag while fighting in Abu Dhabi. UFC 280 was headlined by Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev and took place on October 22 in Abu Dhabi.
'The Eagle' fought Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in an empty arena at the Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The Dagestani dominated his American rival and made his third defense of the lightweight title before announcing his retirement in a post-fight interview, owing to the sad demise of his father and mentor, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Speaking on the first ever episode of the Wahed podcast, Khabib Nurmagomedov claimed that he was bewildered to learn that Gaethje arrived only a week before the event in Abu Dhabi. 'The Eagle' tracked his American rival's every move and claimed that he had anticipated Gaethje to feel the impact of jet lag during fight night:
"When I fought with Justin Gaethje I was following when he was going to come here... He said he would come here Saturday and then fight next Saturday, I was like, 'No, next Saturday is going to be worse for him.' During the fight, I was talking to him and I told him, 'Brother, jet lag?' and he went 'No, no jet lag.' But I knew, he felt it."
Watch the full episode below:
Several fighters, including the likes of Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull, have pointed out that Charles Oliveira traveled to the capital of the UAE very close to his fight. The limited time to adapt to the time-zone difference and the weather in Abu Dhabi may have been additional factors that led to the Brazilian's loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 280.
Khabib Nurmagomedov speaks about the dominance of Dagestan-born fighters in MMA
It is safe to say that Khabib Nurmagomedov's storied MMA career and unblemished record helped put Dagestan on the global stage. However, in recent times, 'The Land of the Mountains' has produced some of the most skilled fighters that continue to dominate the sport.
Most recently, Nurmagomedov's longtime training partner and apprentice Islam Makhachev defeated Charles Oliveira to grab the vacant 155-pound strap. The Dagestani has long been hailed as Nurmagomedov's successor to the lightweight throne.
Speaking on the aforementioned podcast, Khabib Nurmagomedov alluded to multiple factors in the rise of Dagestan-born fighters in MMA:
"I think genetics. I think mountains. I think tough life. And I think traditions...our tradition is wrestling. Everybody wrestle, you know, when I was growing up, you know, sometimes I go with my father to some people house, like the guests. If I see someone like my age, my size, I'm like, father is going to make me wrestle with him."