UFC 223 video recap: Khabib defeats Iaquinta, calls out GSP

Khabib Nurmagomedov wins the UFC lightweight title and keeps his undefeated record intact, as he now focuses on a new opponent.

It has been a rough week for Khabib Nurmagomedov. But through three opponent changes and his bus being attacked by Conor McGregor, the Dagestani “Eagle” was able to finally capture UFC gold by defeating Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision.

What was the high point of the fight?

Team Khabib had to tweak their game plan a few times, but the main formula remained. Khabib, however, was not pressing the action forward as much as he did when he faced Edson Barboza at UFC 219, but he showed the usual dominance once the fight went to the ground.

Surprisingly, Khabib also chose to keep the fight mostly standing in rounds three and four, seemingly wanting to show that he can also put up a good fight on the feet. This also when Iaquinta had his few moments, when he landed some clean punches.

Where do these two go from there?

This fight was definitely a non-factor for the number 11-ranked Iaquinta in terms of rankings, but it definitely added to his overall experience. I personally would still want to see how he would have fared against Paul Felder, who also deserves his due after three straight stoppage wins.

Now that he has the title in his possession, there is a bigger target on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s back from hereon. And whether his next fight would be against either Tony Ferguson, Conor McGregor or Georges St-Pierre, who was called out during the post-fight speech, it would be something that the MMA world would definitely be watching out for.

Watch it now, later or never?

It may not have been the usual predominant display of Khabib’s devastating ground-and-pound prowess, but it was a dominant performance from the newly-crowned 155-pound champion, nonetheless. Still an immediate must-watch.