Khabib Nurmagomedov Mauls Al Iaquinta, Wins UFC Lightweight World Title | UFC Results

The time has finally come. Undefeated UFC lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to headline UFC 223 in an octagon war against Al Iaquinta.

UFC 223 is going down tonight, April 7, inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The night’s live pay-per-view main event was initially set to see Tony Ferguson face off against Nurmagomedov for the undisputed lightweight title.

Ferguson was pulled from the fight on just six days notice after suffering an injury. Nurmagomedov was then set to fight UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway for the lightweight title. However, Holloway was pulled from the fight on just a day’s notice after being deemed unfit to finish his weight cut.

Accepting a severely short notice offer, New York native Al Iaquinta will now be throwing down with Khabib Nurmagomedov in Brooklyn on the anniversary of his mentor Matt Serra’s title earning knockout victory over Georges St-Pierre. While the NYSAC will not permit Iaquinta the ability to compete for the lightweight title after the fighter weighed in 0.2 pounds heavy, UFC President Dana White has claimed that the winner of the fight will ultimately be considered champion of the division.

Now the two mixed martial artists are entering the octagon. Check out the UFC results below.

Nurmagomedov opened up the first round with a swift takedown, but Iaquinta managed to get to his feet before suffering any significant damage. However, Nurmagomedov was able to quickly take the fighter back to the canvas.

Iaquinta managed to finish the opening round on his feet, but Nurmagomedov still put on a seemingly dominant performance against his opponent.

Nurmagomedov quickly poured on the pressure in the second round, getting Iaquinta to the ground once again. “The Eagle” spent much of the round from the back of his opponent, putting on yet another dominant round against Iaquinta. This time, the fighter managed to dish out some damaging ground and pound on the New York native.

The third round largely took place on the feet, as Nurmagomedov began pummeling his opponent with swift jabs. However, Iaquinta managed to land some powerful counters on his opponent. Still neither fighter was able to get a finish before the sound of the bell. This fight has made it to the championship rounds.

The fourth round took place on the feet, as Iaquinta managed to stuff Nurmagomedov’s takedowns and land some powerful strikes on the fighter. Still, Nurmagomedov managed to largely get the better of his opponent in the striking through a consistent utility of precise jabs.

The final round opened up with another exchange on the feet. Iaquinta began exploding off of his feet with a series of combinations that began to seemingly damage Nurmagomedov. However, Nurmagomedov was able to get his opponent to the ground and punish him with some ground and pound.

UFC Results: Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision

For more MMA news click here.