The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) made its way to Las Vegas, Nev. on Saturday night, Dec. 30, for another exhilarating night of fights. This time around, the world’s most famous mixed martial arts promotion was hosting the highly anticipated fight card for UFC 219. The night featured a bevy of intense match ups, including an octagon war for the featherweight title between Holly Holm and reigning champion Cris Cyborg. With that in mind, the UFC return of top UFC lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov is what has many fighters talking right now.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has not had a great year under the UFC banner. Prior to UFC 219, the fighter had now competed in 2017. “The Eagle” was initially set to face off against Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title earlier in the year. However, Nurmagomedov suffered weight management issues that caused the fighter to be pulled from the night’s event. Since then, the fighter has been recovering from the debilitating incident.
Making his big return to the octagon, Nurmagomedov went toe-to-toe with Edson Barboza in Saturday night’s big co-main event match up. The fighter put on a dominant performance over his opponent, earning Nurmagomedov a unanimous decision victory. The undefeated fighter now has 25 victories to his name.
Competitors from the UFC have now decided to cast their opinions on the night’s exciting co-main event match up over social media. Check out what many fighters had to say in the Twitter posts below:
This should be ?
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) December 31, 2017
Barboza is strong but is it just a matter of time befor she get his hands on him?
— Alexander Jay? (@ALIAQUINTA) December 31, 2017
Khabib at a lot of kicks to the leg, and it wasn't pretty, but he finally got his hands on him and down. #ufc219
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) December 31, 2017
And just like that, Barboza is down and Khabib is posturing. #UFC219
— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) December 31, 2017
GODDAMN KHALABEEB IS A WILD MAN
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) December 31, 2017
Cruz be like, "Barbosa needs to get up asap."… NO SHIT!! #UFC219 pic.twitter.com/m7JYT9qCnX
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) December 31, 2017
For 2 minutes, Borboza did a phenomenal job of staying on his feet and punishing Khabeeb's legs. Bet the last 3 minutes felt like an hour though.
— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) December 31, 2017
Khabib is a master at what he does #ufc219
— Jeremy Kennedy (@JeremyKennedyWC) December 31, 2017
Damn Khabib mauling him like a bear!
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) December 31, 2017
Khabibs a bear #ufc219
— Belal muhammad (@bullyb170) December 31, 2017
Khabib is mean and stuff. #UFC219
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 31, 2017
Holy cow Khabib! #ufc #khabibtime
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) December 31, 2017
Rd2 will be worse…
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) December 31, 2017
Holy shit!! Once Khabib takes you down it is legalized assault and battery!!
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) December 31, 2017
Khabib's ground offensive is unreal. #UFC219
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) December 31, 2017
My god this Khabib
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) December 31, 2017
Khabib tenacious getting the takedown then heavy top pressure and GNP. Edson slow to get up at the bell for rd 1 #ufc219
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) December 31, 2017
Some of the nastiest ground and pound I have ever seen. @ufc #ufc219
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) December 31, 2017
Holy shit @TeamKhabib . @EdsonBarbozaJR looks like he went 5 rounds in the first ?
— Tyson Pedro (@tyson_pedro_) December 31, 2017
Never mind. This shit over lol. Edson done
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) December 31, 2017
@TeamKhabib is unreal! @ufc
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) December 31, 2017
Throw in the towel
— Alexander Jay? (@ALIAQUINTA) December 31, 2017
How do you say "No Mas" in Russian? @ufc #ufc219 #khabib
— Alex Chambers (@alexchambersmma) December 31, 2017
Pressure looking too strong for Barboza #ufc219
— Jon SuperSaiyan Tuck (@JonCruzTuck) December 31, 2017
Barboza needs a safety word #ufc219
— Belal muhammad (@bullyb170) December 31, 2017
It’s not only @TeamKhabib grappling, but also his G&P that might be some of the best in the @Ufc!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) December 31, 2017
I can’t wait till I get my hands on Khabib.
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) December 31, 2017
I love @TeamKhabib. Congrats on the win and birth of your son!!!!!
— Coach (@CMPunk) December 31, 2017
Are you kidding me?
— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) December 31, 2017
I think Khabib is the best lightweight on the planet. #UFC219
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) December 31, 2017
Crazy pressure! Khabib is a monster!
— Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) December 31, 2017