How to get impeccably chiseled abs like UFC lightweight star Drew Dober

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13370614" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="drew-dober" source="Orion">Drew Dober</keyword> just secured one of the greatest wins of his entire career.</li><li>The American <keyword id="11922276" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma" source="Orion">MMA</keyword> fighter seemed down, nearly out, but rallied to score a brutal finish of his own.</li></ul>LAS VEGAS — American fighter <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/drew-dober" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drew Dober</a> came back wildly from a near-knockout to score a thumping win of his own Saturday at <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the UFC Fight Night event</a> that took place inside the Apex facility in Las Vegas.Dober has long been a fan-friendly but dangerous lightweight fighter as he's famed for 'Performance of the Night' wins, particularly <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-drew-dober-threw-21-punches-in-knockout-win-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his merciless bombardment of ground-and-pound against Nasrat Haqparast, two years ago</a>.The 33-year-old entered the Octagon this weekend, though, desperate for a result as <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-islam-makhachev-records-submission-win-against-drew-dober-2021-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he had suffered back-to-back losses against Islam Makhachev</a> and Brad Riddell in 2021.Against <keyword id="13370615" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="terrance-mckinney" source="Orion">Terrance McKinney</keyword> on March 12 it looked like he was about to lose for the third time in a row.McKinney dropped Dober with a nasty knee strike in the opening seconds, and had it not been for Dober's absurd punch resistance, it would likely have been a blowout.McKinney then threw strike after strike to try and get Dober out of there, yet Dober — who had been downed — refused to go out.Though back to his feet, Dober was downed again as McKinney landed another brutal knee. Again, lesser fighters would have stayed down. Not Dober.But then came McKinney again with punching flurries designed to finish fighters who are almost done.Dober, who was on the ground with McKinney on top, was anything but finished, though, as he eventually got his feet on McKinney's hips and managed to shove him away — following expert coaching from his corner.This moment appeared to be a turning point as McKinney, after that striking offense, seemed to have emptied his gas tank.Now it was Dober's turn to attack, and he hit his man with hard punches, struck him until he fell, and then followed with ground-and-pound of his own.Eventually, the referee had seen enough.Dober had done it — one of the most remarkable <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA</a> turnarounds of the year!Watch Dober's stoppage win right here:<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—ESPN MMA (@espnmma) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1502810314844172288">March 13, 2022</a></blockquote>By the end of the fight, McKinney had landed 43 of his 74 strike attempts for an accuracy rate of 58%, while also succeeding with two of his three takedowns.Dober, meanwhile, hit McKinney 31 times from 52 attempts (60%).With victory, Dober advanced his pro MMA record to 24 wins (11 knockouts, six submissions, and seven decisions) against 11 losses.In a post-fight speech, Dober said he would relish a fight with Bobby Green next.

American fighter Drew Dober came back wildly from a near-knockout to score a thumping win of his own

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="8056964" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="islam-makhachev">Islam Makhachev</keyword> was all over <keyword id="9222220" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="drew-dober">Drew Dober</keyword> like a rash Saturday in Las Vegas.</li><li>A protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev looks like another dominant Dagestan fighter.</li><li>At <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> 259, Makhachev won every minute of every round and submitted Dober in the third.</li></ul>Islam Makhachev recorded an arm triangle submission against Drew Dober at the highly-anticipated UFC 259 event inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.A protege of the retired UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is another dominant lightweight fighter from the Dagestan region in Russia.And at the behind-closed-doors show Saturday, Makhachev showed again how dominant he can be as he won every minute of every round. He was so superior in the second one judge awarded him a 10-8 score, and made his American opponent tap in the third.Makhachev established early authority as he constantly sought takedowns at the start of every round, and then, with the action on the mat, engineered submission attempts at every opportunity.An arm-triangle choke from half guard was ultimately the submission that finished Dober, an <keyword id="6403489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma">MMA</keyword> fighter who had previously been on a three-fight winning streak.Now that winning streak is over as Makhachev punctuates his reputation as a 155-pound problem that few in the lightweight division seem able to solve for a minute, let alone an entire fight.Makhachev's dominance was underlined by the data as he landed 102 strikes from 119 attempts for an 86% accuracy rate, succeeded with three of his four takedowns, and was in control for nine minutes and 26 seconds compared to Dober's 12 seconds.See Dober survive an armbar submission here:<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—ESPN MMA (@espnmma) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1368415430273097732?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2021</a></blockquote>And watch the immediate aftermath of Makhachev's win here:<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—ESPN MMA (@espnmma) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1368413184831479809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2021</a></blockquote>"I tried to finish him in the first round, but Dober is a very strong guy," said Makhachev after the fight in a statement sent to Insider."He has like crazy power, that's why I just tried to make him tired, make him work, and finish him in the third round."Makhavev advanced his pro-MMA record to 19 wins (three knockouts, eight submissions, and eight decisions) against one loss, and said he wants to fight twice more in 2021.Within a year, he wants to challenge for the lightweight title."My dream fight is Tony Ferguson," said Makhachev." I just want to make him retire. He talks too much. Khabib is retired, now he keeps pressuring him, for what? I'm here, I have a seven-fight win streak - make this happen."

Dominant Dagestan fighter Islam Makhachev records arm triangle submission against dangerous Drew Dober

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9222220" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="drew-dober">Drew Dober</keyword> is determined to add his name to a lightweight division full of big names, and is hoping if he continues to win in style, like he did Wednesday, he can eventually challenge Conor McGregor.</li><li>The American southpaw secured his second win of the year at the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> Fight Night event in Jacksonville, Florida.</li><li>Dober's victory was so good, he was awarded a $50,000 performance-related bonus.</li><li>Watch him throw 21 punches in his second round knockout-winning sequence below.</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>An American UFC fighter threw 21 punches in a knockout-winning sequence, and is motivated to keep winning in style so he can one day fight "the Khabibs and the Conors" of the division.Drew Dober, 31, won the first round by out-punching his "UFC Fight Night" opponent Alexander Hernandez, <a href="http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/46c050a827ee83d6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">landing 24 of 58 (41%) of his strikes</a> while stifling one of his opponent's two takedown attempts.In the second round, Dober increased his striking activity, landing 61 of 145 (42%) which included a fight-finishing sequence of 21 shots interrupted by just one takedown, which Dober escaped, before he closed the show for good.Watch it unfold right here:Or here if you're in a different region:<h2>Dober has his eyes on the UFC's top lightweights</h2>"I want bigger and better fights," Dober said after winning behind-closed-doors in Jacksonville, Florida. "I want to compete with the best in the world and to do so I have to keep winning."The 155-pound weight class has arguably the greatest depth in the UFC's entire talent pool, with Khabib Nurmagomedov reigning as champion, Justin Gaethje the interim title holder, then Tony Ferguson, Conor McGregor, and Dustin Poirier completing the top five.Dober wants to gatecrash that lightweight party. "I want to fight the Khabibs, the Conors, the Dustin Poiriers of the world and I just have to keep winning so I can actually put myself in the main event and compete with those guys," he said."This is a huge dream of mine, I'm a huge fan and lover of the sport. Just being able to compete with the best in the world excites me. "<div type="image" title="Drew Dober won by KO UFC Fight Night " height="1000" width="2000" msid="75740083" hostid="261"></div>Dober has put together an attention-grabbing run this year having previously excelled at the UFC 246 show in Las Vegas, which was headlined by McGregor's 40-second rout over Donald Cerrone at 170-pounds.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-drew-dober-kod-opponent-with-nasty-ground-and-pound-2020-1?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dober knocked Nasrat Haqparast down with a crafty left hand</a> in the very first round in January, holding him down with one fist, then punching him 11 times while he lay defenseless on the canvas.Victory that night earned him a $50,000 performance-related bonus, a bonus he received once again for his thrilling strikingThough the additional cash is nice, Dober is returning to the practise mats."I need to go back to the drawing board, I need to improve because there's lots of mistakes I made in the cage tonight that I have to fix," he said.Dober's win was on the main card of the UFC's midweek show, a few fights after <a href="https://www.insider.com/gabriel-benitezs-shin-bone-visible-underneath-ripped-leg-flesh-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gabriel Benitez suffered a horrific leg injury</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-brian-kelleher-scores-1-punch-ko-ufc-fight-night-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brian Kelleher's one-punch knockout</a> win over Hunter Azure.Later, Glover Teixeira, a 40-year-old MMA veteran, <a href="https://www.insider.com/glover-teixeira-beat-anthony-smith-until-he-didnt-look-human-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rolled back the years to obliterate Anthony Smith</a>, sending his younger American opponent to the hospital with <a href="https://www.insider.com/anthony-smiths-list-of-injuries-includes-missing-teeth-broken-nose-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two missing teeth, a broken nose, and a broken orbital bone</a>.The beating was so severe and injuries so horrific, the UFC president <a href="https://www.insider.com/dana-white-said-anthony-smith-loss-was-tough-to-watch-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dana White said "it was tough to watch" from cageside</a>.The UFC returns to the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville on Saturday for the final night of its three shows in Florida, before returning to Las Vegas for a May 30 event at the UFC Apex.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/glover-teixeira-beat-anthony-smith-until-he-didnt-look-human-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A veteran fighter gave his younger UFC opponent such a beating on Wednesday that his 'head literally no longer looked human'</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-glover-teixeira-said-sorry-to-anthony-smith-during-fight-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 40-year-old fighter could be heard saying sorry to his American opponent in the middle of a UFC fight for beating him so bad</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-brian-kelleher-scores-1-punch-ko-ufc-fight-night-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An American called "Boom" scored a 1-punch KO then hit his defenseless, unconscious opponent with 2 hammer-fists on the canvas</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/dana-white-said-anthony-smith-loss-was-tough-to-watch-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC boss Dana White said it was 'tough to watch' a fighter get beaten so bad he was left with broken bones and missing teeth</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-anthony-smith-can-be-seen-handing-his-tooth-to-the-referee-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beaten American fighter Anthony Smith seen on video handing his tooth to the referee after it had been struck from his mouth</a>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-drew-dober-threw-21-punches-in-knockout-win-2020-5">Insider</a>

An American fighter threw 21 punches in a fight-finishing sequence, and said he's motivated to one day take on 'the Khabibs, the Conors' of UFC

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13370943" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="song-yadong" source="Orion">Song Yadong</keyword> showed that accuracy can be as important as power in his Saturday win.</li><li>The fast-rising fighter hit his <keyword id="11922275" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ufc" source="Orion">UFC</keyword> opponent with a shot that separated him from his senses.</li></ul>LAS VEGAS — Rising <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA</a> star Song Yadong put <keyword id="13370944" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="marlon-moraes" source="Orion">Marlon Moraes</keyword>' lights out with a first-round knockout shot Saturday in the middle of <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the UFC Fight Night event</a> which was held inside the Apex in Las Vegas.Song stamped his authority on the fight early in the opening round as he hit Moraes with heavy right hands.He then threw a head kick which Moraes blocked.Monments later another right hand landed with such accuracy it separated Moraes from his senses and he dropped to the canvas.Though Moraes was not knocked out cold, he was clearly in a bad way, dazed, and confused. And so the referee Keith Peterson stepped in to wave the bout off at the two-minute, six-second mark.Watch Yadong's finish right here:<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—ESPN <keyword id="11922276" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma" source="Orion">MMA</keyword> (@espnmma) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1502828127382237186">March 13, 2022</a></blockquote>With victory, Yadong advanced his pro MMA record to 19 wins (eight knockouts, three submissions, and eight decisions) against five losses, one draw, and one no decision.The entire UFC Fight Night card was filled with action.A Russian MMA fighter called <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-azamat-murzakanovs-scored-flying-knee-ko-on-ufc-debut-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Azamat Murzakanov finished his opponent with a flying knee</a> and a shove in a UFC debut to remember.A veteran UFC fighter nicknamed <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-guido-cannetti-mercilessly-obliterates-ufc-opponent-with-strikes-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'Ninja' obliterated his opponent with a merciless barrage of strikes</a>, Cody <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-cody-brundage-overcomes-onslaught-to-submit-ufc-opponent-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brundage overcame a striking onslaught to submit Dalcha Lungiambula</a> in a rollercoaster slobberknocker, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/drew-dober-scored-a-comeback-of-the-year-win-ufc-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drew Dober came back wildly from a near-knockout to score a thumping win</a> of his own.Elsewhere, an American called <a href="https://www.insider.com/khalil-rountree-beat-ufc-opponent-like-he-owed-him-money-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khalil Rountree Jr. beat Karl Roberson like he was owed money</a>, before giving an emotional speech about how he overcame depression to be where he is today.A light heavyweight match between Thiago Santos and Magomed Ankalaev topped the UFC Fight Night event, which was broadcast in its entirety on ESPN+.

Rising UFC star Song Yadong put Marlon Moraes' lights out with a first-round knockout shot

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9726232" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="nasrat-haqparast">Nasrat Haqparast</keyword> defeated Alexander Munoz by unanimous round decision at the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> Vegas 6 event Saturday.</li><li>It was a much-needed victory for Haqparast, who rebounded from a brutal defeat to Drew Dober earlier in the year.</li><li>Haqparast said this weekend that he knows where he went wrong in the Dober fight — he wanted to kill him. So now he takes a calmer demeanour into the UFC Octagon.</li><li>That mindset appeared to prove useful, as he comfortably bested Munoz.</li></ul>If you want to be successful in the UFC, it helps to have a mentality which does not involve wanting to kill your opponent.That's according to the German lightweight Nasrat Haqparast, who threw 219 strikes, won a grueling battle, and suggested the secret to his most recent victory was being cool, calm, and collected.It is a marked difference to the mindset he had in his bout earlier in the year, when he said Saturday that he "was immature [and] wanted to kill" <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-drew-dober-kod-opponent-with-nasty-ground-and-pound-2020-1?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drew Dober, but lost in devastating fashion at the UFC 246 event</a> in Las Vegas in January.This time, it was different.Haqparast out-struck and out-landed his "UFC Vegas 6" opponent Alexander Munoz in every round, winning a unanimous decision with all three Octagonside judges scoring the bout 30-27.<div type="image" title="Haqparast vs. Munoz scorecard" height="1500" width="2000" msid="77444188" hostid="261"></div>Haqparast, only 24, showed good speed and power in his striking, and said Saturday's victory was "a very big moment" for him personally.He said: "A lot of things [happened] outside of fighting … I had a lot of pressure and I really just wanted to show my real skill-set."In my last fight against Drew Dober, I was immature, I wanted to kill him, my emotions took the best of me."Today, I really got to show my skill-set and it's just the beginning."Haqparast then said he'd return to Germany, enjoy some down-time with his family, before returning to training so he can continue to evolve as a striker and a fighter.Victory saw Haqparast advance his record to 12 wins (nine knockouts and three decisions) against three losses.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-andrew-sanchez-knocks-opponent-unconscious-with-big-right-hand-2020-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A fighter nicknamed 'El Dirte' hit his opponent with 2 hammer fists on the floor after knocking him unconscious with a huge right hand</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-valerie-loureda-scores-highlight-reel-buzzer-beating-knockout-2020-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An American who says you can be feminine and still fight, scored a highlight-reel buzzer-beating knockout at a Bellator MMA show</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-nurmagomedov-will-s-his-pants-in-gaethje-fight-2020-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor said Khabib Nurmagomedov will be 's----ing his pants' when he fights Justin Gaethje in October</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/mike-tyson-roy-jones-jr-circus-act-why-people-watch-2020-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike Tyson's comeback against Roy Jones Jr. is a ridiculous circus act — but that's exactly why people will tune in</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/inside-fight-island-the-ufcs-most-ambitious-project-of-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inside UFC's 'Fight Island,' where its top stars took late-night joyrides at 160mph, sunbathed in 115 degree heat, and played golf at dawn</a>

Nasrat Haqparast threw 219 strikes, won a grueling battle, and said the secret to success was not wanting to kill his UFC opponent

<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5e23b17024306a0aec59c6a2-2000/drew%20dober%20ufc%20246.jpg" alt="Drew Dober UFC 246" /><a href="https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/drew-dober-knocks-out-nasrat-haqparast-of-germany-in-their-news-photo/1200412118?adppopup=true">Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images</a>Drew Dober destroyed Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 246.<ul class="summary-list"><li>Drew Dober destroyed Nasrat Haqparast with nasty ground and pound on the preliminary card at UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy.</li><li>Dober teed-up his finishing sequence with a counter left hand power punch which fell Haqparast.</li><li>Dober then pounced on his opponent and landed 11 punches while Haqparast lay defenseless.</li><li>Pleased with his brutal knockout win, the 31-year-old American said he's ready for any fighter in the top 10 of his division - and even called out the UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>LAS VEGAS - An American southpaw knocked his UFC opponent down with a counter left hand, held him down with one fist, then punched him 11 times while he lay defenseless on the canvas.It was an extraordinarily violent victory for Drew Dober, a 31-year-old competing out of Colorado who is blooming on a fight per fight basis.Dober destroyed Nasrat Haqparast with ease on the preliminary card at UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy - the first major mixed martial arts event of the year, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on January 18.Dober held the center of the Octagon and, with less than one minute registered on the first round of the fight clock, counter struck Haqparast with a left fist so powerful it buckled the 24-year-old German, sending him backwards, onto the canvas.Showing no mercy, Dober got on top of Haqparast, held his neck down with one hand, and, with the other, battered him relentlessly.The referee could have stopped the fight at any point after the second punch Dober landed in the finishing sequence, but a slow response allowed Dober to land 11 blows while Haqparast lay defenseless.Watch it all unfold here:After the winning performance, which sees Dober's record rise to 21 wins (8 knockouts, 6 submissions, and 7 decisions) against 9 losses (1 knockout, 3 submission, and 5 decisions), Dober said: "This is a huge statement win for me … I feel like I'm just coming into my prime."Dober, who competes in the lightweight and welterweight divisions, said he's ready for ranked fighters. "I'm ready for top 10, top 15, whoever ends up saying yes."I want to go back and watch the fight again and perfect anything I need to, but then it's right back to racking up cage time. I want to fight Khabib [Nurmagomedov] and anyone below him on that list, so the first guy to say yes will get it."Read more:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-dublin-is-turning-its-back-on-conor-mcgregor-2020-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">From the fighting pride of Ireland to MMA's Jekyll and Hyde: Why Dublin started turning its back on Conor McGregor</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pacquiao-manager-invites-mcgregor-to-proper-fight-after-ufc-246-2020-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manny Pacquiao's manager says Conor McGregor knows where to go if he wants a 'proper fight' after UFC 246</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/conor-mcgregor-jiu-jitsu-black-belt-trainer-john-kavanagh-2020-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor's black belt in jiu jitsu 'is coming,' head trainer John Kavanagh says</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/manny-pacquiao-could-retire-after-fighting-conor-mcgregor-says-expert-2020-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A fight against Conor McGregor could generate $250 million and be Manny Pacquiao's retirement party, according to an expert</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-conor-mcgregor-is-really-like-according-to-his-barber-2020-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What Conor McGregor is really like, according to the man who cuts his trademark hair</a><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">DREW DOBER COMING UP LARGE!<a href="https://twitter.com/DrewDober?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrewDober</a> gets it done in 1️⃣! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC246?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC246</a> 📺 Watch LIVE on <a href="https://twitter.com/espn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPN</a> NOW! <a href="https://t.co/ubQW8Fleyb">pic.twitter.com/ubQW8Fleyb</a>- UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1218703236531728387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-tuner-shop-custom-model-x-2019-12">The world's first Tesla tuning shop creates super exclusive special edition Model X</a></h3> <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/SupsRp7Y-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;"></iframe>

An American southpaw knocked his UFC opponent down with a crafty left hand, held him down with one fist, then punched him 11 times while he lay defenseless on the canvas

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="12345283" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="islam-makhachev" source="Orion">Islam Makhachev</keyword> is grateful for the ongoing support of his mentor <keyword id="11946150" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="khabib-nurmagomedov" source="Orion">Khabib Nurmagomedov</keyword>.</li><li>Nurmagomedov generated great acclaim in <keyword id="11922276" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma" source="Orion">MMA</keyword> because of how he ruled over the lightweight division.</li></ul>ABU DHABI - One of the <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC</a>'s best lightweights, <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/islam-makhachev" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Islam Makhachev,</a> continues to speak glowingly about his mentor <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/khabib-nurmagomedov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khabib Nurmagomedov</a>.Like Nurmagomedov, Makhachev comes from Dagestan in Russia, and is renowned for his dominant sambo style of fighting.He also competes at lightweight, the division Nurmagomedov ruled over as an unbeaten fighter, scalping many of the sport's biggest names - such as Rafael dos Anjos, <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/conor-mcgregor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor</a>, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.Makhachev has been fighting since 2010. He joined the <keyword id="11922275" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ufc" source="Orion">UFC</keyword> in 2015 and is beginning to score wins over good names himself - like his back-to-back submission victories over Drew Dober and Thiago Moises this year.The 30-year-old competes again Saturday in a 155-pound contest involving New Zealand striker Dan Hooker, and a win could advance his rank as the No.5 contender in the division.Nurmagomedov's support, and the coaching of American Kickboxing Academy founder Javier Mendez, has been crucial during this time, he said."I'm training with Khabib all the time and he give me like very big support," Makhachev told reporters at a media event Insider attended in Abu Dhabi, days ahead of his UFC 267 fight in the emirate's Etihad Arena."This is not pressure for me," he added. "I'm just happy because I have some guy like him on my back."Khabib have big experience and now he's … maybe him and Javier Mendez, my head coach, help me a lot, who give me game plan, help me in training camp."Khabib is not just some training or sparring partner. He can give me more because he has so much experience in this game."Makhachev will be leaning on that experience more and more as his opponents get tougher, and the stage he competes on gets bigger.He said the UFC lightweight title landscape is currently uncertain as Charles Oliveira, the champion, defends his belt against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 on December 11.Justin Gaethje, meanwhile, fights Michael Chandler in a match at UFC 268 on November 6. Both athletes rank higher than Makhachev does currently.Regardless of who holds the title in the coming months, Makhachev said he will do what he has always done."I'm going to be ready … They don't need to ask me," to fight for the championship, he said. "I'm just ready."

One of the UFC's best lightweights, Islam Makhachev, gave his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov a glowing endorsement

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11946150" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="khabib-nurmagomedov" source="Orion">Khabib Nurmagomedov</keyword> believes his fighter <keyword id="12345283" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="islam-makhachev" source="Orion">Islam Makhachev</keyword> deserves a title shot in the <keyword id="11922275" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ufc" source="Orion">UFC</keyword>.</li><li>Lightweight star Makhachev just dominated Bobby Green in the first round.</li></ul>LAS VEGAS — <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/khabib-nurmagomedov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khabib Nurmagomedov</a> is campaigning for his protege <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/islam-makhachev" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Islam Makhachev</a> to secure a <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC</a> lightweight championship shot after his ruthless run in the division.Makhachev finished American fighter Bobby Green in the first round of their catchweight main event at the UFC Fight Night show that took place Saturday inside the Apex, Las Vegas.Makhachev was originally scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush in a title eliminator, however, Green stepped-in on 14 days' notice when Dariush had to withdraw because of injury.Makhachev beat Green midway through the opening round after dominating him during a grappling exchange which led to significant ground-and-pound that promoted a referee's intervention."There's levels, always," <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLRLZqTUA8Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said Nurmagomedov to ESPN</a> following the victory last weekend. "There's fighters, champion, elite. I think Bobby Green is a fighter. But Islam is elite."This is what I feel when I train with him long time, 20 years we've spent together, how he's successful in amateur career and how he moved to professional."Nurmagomedov pointed to Makhachev's 10-fight win streak that has now included scalps of Arman Tsarukyan, Drew Dober, and Dan Hooker.Now ranked third, Makhachev is withing punching distance of the No.1 spot which Justin Gaethje currently owns. The American striker fights the champion Charles Oliveira in a title shot in the main event at UFC 274 on May 7.Nurmagomedov wants the winner of that fight to defend the belt against Makhachev in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, in October.'I'm really focused on Islam fighting winner of Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje, end of this year," he said. "Make a very big show in Abu Dhabi. This place, Islam going to fight for the title."<h2>Nurmagomedov still gets nervous when coaching fighters in elite events</h2><div type="image" title="Khabib Nurmagomedov is seen in the corner of Islam Makhachev." height="1000" width="2000" msid="89934152" hostid="261"></div>Elsewhere in the interview, Nurmagomedov — who was <a href="https://www.insider.com/most-dominant-athletes-in-the-world-2021-2021-12#khabib-nurmagomedov-35" target="_blank" rel="noopener">named in Insider's "most dominant" list of athletes last year</a> because of his impeccable, post-fight, coaching role so far — still gets nervous before his fighters compete."I was nervous little bit because this is fiht and anything can happen," he said."Bobby Green, so much experience and a good striker. I was a little bit nervous but not like before. I was talking with Coach Jav [Mendez] before the fight, and I said, 'Coach, I'm still nervous but I become better.'"He said, 'It's okay. You need a couple more years and you'll become better.' This is all about experience."Nurmagomedov then reiterated his desire to see Makhachev fight for the title he relinquished upon retiring from combat <keyword id="11893855" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports" source="Orion">sports</keyword> in 2020, with a flawless 29-0 record, when <a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-254-khabib-nurmagomedov-sent-gaethje-to-sleep-cried-retired-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he defeated Gaethje in a signature win on 'Fight Island.'</a>He said: "Islam take this like a real champion. Like he say, 'Doesn't matter who is opponent the goal is going to stay the same. Same goal, different opponent.'"We feel a little bit bad because he don't fight with Beneil Dariush. He have a big injury, come back win one fight and be next in line. Beneil going to be there, Islam there, Islam fight for the title end of this year."And if Beneil win, Islam win title, Islam going to defend his first title defense with Beneil. This is how I see division going to move."

Khabib Nurmagomedov campaigns for his protege Islam Makhachev to secure a UFC title shot after ruthless run

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6164007" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Khabib-Nurmagomedov">Khabib Nurmagomedov</keyword> said life as an active <keyword id="6403489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma">MMA</keyword> fighter is like being in prison.</li><li>Nurmagomedov is currently on vacation in San Francisco, and said he will meet <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> boss Dana White.</li><li>It is unlikely the retired champ will return to fighting as he has other business interests in MMA.</li></ul><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/khabib-nurmagomedov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khabib Nurmagomedov</a>, the retired <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC</a> lightweight champion, said Tuesday that life as an active MMA fighter is like being in prison.The fighter is currently in San Francisco.But rather than spend most of his time in the nearby American Kickboxing Academy at San Jose, Nurmagomedov said he is enjoying a vacation and not thinking about training, let alone competing."Since 2012, I just dreamed of getting to this city without preparing for my fight and without any diet, just take a walk and enjoy a good meal," the 32-year-old wrote on Instagram."The answer is that I seemed to be in prison. Alhamdulillah [praise be to God], how good it is not to be an active athlete," he said.<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); data.width~540;"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMdp_iPM0kr" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank"></a> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov)<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime=""></time></div></blockquote><h2>Nurmagomedov finished his career in October with a 29-0 record</h2>The 32-year-old <a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-254-khabib-nurmagomedov-sent-gaethje-to-sleep-cried-retired-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">choked Justin Gaethje unconscious on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi</a> last year, removed his gloves and left them on the canvas, and then cried as he mourned the loss of his father Abdulmanap who died after coronavirus complications earlier in 2020.In his retirement speech, Nurmagomedov said he could not continue to fight without his father by his side, and said he had promised his mother that he would retire forever.Three members of Nurmagomedov's inner circle - his trainer Javier Mendez, his manager Ali Abdelaziz, and UFC boss Dana White - released separate comments in the following weeks <a href="https://www.insider.com/khabib-nurmagomedov-will-likely-return-to-ufc-for-one-fight-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suggesting the fighter's retirement would be short-lived, and that he would compete at least one more time</a> in the UFC.Those statements were at odds with what Nurmagomedov has said and done since.Earlier this year, <a href="https://www.insider.com/khabib-nurmagomedov-gives-a-clear-indication-hes-retired-forever-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nurmagomedov reiterated his commitment to stay retired</a>. "My mother is the most precious thing I have left," he said. "You won't push me to do things that will disappoint my mother."One day after he compared competing to a jail sentence, Nurmagomedov posted a cryptic message about meeting White.Standing next to the American billionaire Lorenzo Fertitta, the former CEO of the UFC, Nurmagomedov said: "It was good to see you, Lorenzo. Dana White, send me location."<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); data.width~540;"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMgt-tvMUCr" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank"></a> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov)<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime=""></time></div></blockquote><h2>It is unlikely Nurmagomedov will return to UFC to fight</h2><div type="image" title="Will Khabib Nurmagomedov stay retired, UFC Dana White" height="1000" width="2000" msid="81549742" hostid="261"></div>While Nurmagomedov's message about meeting White may raise hopes he will return to ultimate fighting for one more bout, in the hope of advancing his undefeated pro record to 30-0, it is just as likely he'll be discussing other business opportunities with White outside of a comeback.Even if Nurmagomedov vacates the UFC lightweight championship, he will long remain a powerful and influential figure in the combat <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> industry.In December, he launched his own combat company, Eagle Fighting Championships, and he also helps train and encourage other athletes. Khabib's cousin Umar Nurmagomedov, who he mentors, <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-khabib-nurmagomedovs-cousin-umar-scores-debut-ufc-win-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made a statement in his UFC debut in January</a>, and Islam Makhachev, <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-islam-makhachev-records-submission-win-against-drew-dober-2021-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a lightweight, dominated Drew Dober in March</a>."I don't even have plans for UFC in the near future," <a href="https://www.insider.com/khabib-nurmagomedov-gives-a-clear-indication-hes-retired-forever-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nurmagomedov said recently</a>."I don't even have any thoughts about preparing for a fight. I saw how Umar was preparing, and I thought, Alhamdulillah, I left it behind."

Khabib Nurmagomedov said life as an active MMA fighter is like being in prison

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6164007" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Khabib-Nurmagomedov">Khabib Nurmagomedov</keyword> announced a shock retirement moments after submitting Justin Gaethje and weeping in the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> Octagon at <keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword> last month.</li><li>In recent weeks, though, it has become increasingly apparent that Nurmagomedov could un-retire and compete in the UFC one more time.</li><li>While a number of opponents have been suggested, the best way to pick Nurmagomedov's next opponent is with an eight-man tournament featuring the best of UFC's stacked lightweight division.</li><li>Conor McGregor, Tony Ferguson, Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler, and others could face off over the course of several months to determine the best challenger for the Russian.</li><li>Nurmagomedov would then fight the tournament's winner in a retirement bout for the ages.</li></ul>Khabib Nurmagomedov slept Justin Gaethje in <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC's Fight Island</a> finale in October, <a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-254-khabib-nurmagomedov-sent-gaethje-to-sleep-cried-retired-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wept in the middle of the Octagon as he mourned the death of his father, and then stunned onlookers</a> as he announced an abrupt retirement.This would be the last we saw of Nurmagomedov, as the wrestler did not attend his post-event press conference at the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi.The UFC President Dana White told media that company executives were all shocked at Nurmagomedov's retirement speech, <a href="https://www.insider.com/dana-white-reacts-to-khabib-nurmagomedov-ufc254-win-retirement-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying all they could do was "just stand around [and] listen."</a>White then added that he personally believed we'd never see the 32-year-old compete again.Nurmagomedov had advanced his unbeaten pro MMA record to 29 wins (eight knockouts, 11 submissions, 10 decisions), and would never fight again.<h2>It was all over … for three weeks.</h2><a href="https://www.insider.com/khabib-nurmagomedov-will-likely-return-to-ufc-for-one-fight-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">It is becoming increasingly apparent that Nurmagomedov will un-retire</a> and return to the UFC to fight once again.Here's why:<ol><li>His head trainer <a href="https://www.insider.com/time-will-tell-if-khabib-nurmagomedov-stays-retired-javier-mendez-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Javier Mendez said the fighter was emotionally "all over the place"</a> on Fight Island, and that he could fight one more time providing he got permission from his mother.</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/khabib-nurmagomedov-might-fight-again-in-ufc-dana-white-said-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">White has changed his mind, saying "there's a good chance"</a> Nurmagomedov will make a sensational comeback and fight again.</li><li>Even Nurmagomedov's long-time manager Ali Abdelaziz posted a tweet saying there'll be a 30th bout.</li></ol><h2>Nurmagomedov's 30th fight is a landmark, and has to be special</h2><div type="image" title="Khabib Nurmagomedov" height="1438" width="1917" msid="79264273" hostid="261"></div>Khabib Nurmagomedov is the world's No.1-ranked mixed martial artist and a staple feature in conversations regarding the greatest ultimate fighter in history alongside Georges St. Pierre, Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, and perhaps Demetrious Johnson and Fedor Emelianenko.Before Nurmagomedov beat Gaethje, he wasn't talking about retirement — he was talking about the future options and his legacy."We have a couple of options we gonna think about after this fight," Nurmagomedov said at a virtual press conference."Dana told me after this fight he has something special for me … he said he have very big things after this fight for me."Standalone bouts against long-time rival Tony Ferguson, a rematch against his former foe Conor McGregor, and a mega-match with St. Pierre — a bout between the best of the modern era against the best from the previous era — have all been mooted.However, when it comes to storyline-development and generating exponential interest, the UFC could create something far more significant than this, and take inspiration from boxing.<h2>Here's how they could do it</h2>The World Boxing Super Series, formed by the boxing promoter Kalle Sauerland, looks at the many weight classes in boxing, pulls together the champions and contenders in one division, and makes eight of them fight until only one man is left standing.It is a concept that has created current pound-for-pound maestros in the Scottish super lightweight ruler Josh Taylor, Japan's "Monster" bantamweight Naoya Inoue, and Ukraine's former cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk — <a href="https://www.insider.com/who-are-the-best-pound-for-pound-boxers-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all of whom feature prominently on Insider's ranking of the world's best boxers today</a>.The tournament structure is one familiar to the UFC as it was founded using a similar format, albeit one crammed into a single night."The Ultimate Fighting Championship," later rebranded "UFC 1: The Beginning," was an eight-man tournament that brought together athletes from single disciplines like boxing, sumo, and taekwondo.Royce Gracie, a Brazilian jiu jitsu master, won submission after submission until he became the tournament winner and the ultimate fighter in one evening November 1993.UFC 9 in 1996 was the first production to abandon the tournament structure of the event, but it was not until UFC 24 in 2000 when the company began consistently adhering to the multi-bout, standalone fight cards like we're familiar with today.<h2>A last-man-standing, eight-man tournament could decide Nurmagomedov's ultimate challenger</h2><div type="image" title="UFC boss Dana White at UFC 254" height="560" width="1000" msid="79264276" hostid="261"></div>The UFC's biggest signing of the year <a href="https://twitter.com/btsportufc/status/1320297089025380353" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Chandler</a>, and the combat <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> websites <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/10/26/21533881/ufc-254-aftermath-where-do-we-go-from-here-making-the-case-for-a-lightweight-tournament" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA Fighting</a> and <a href="https://thebodylockmma.com/videos/now-is-the-time-for-a-ufc-lightweight-tournament/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Body Lock MMA</a>, floated in October the idea of a tournament structure to determine what happens in a post-Nurmagomedov landscape.Why not use the same idea in the Nurmagomedov-era itself. Pit the top fighters from the UFC's stacked lightweight division against one another over the next 12 months to determine an interim lightweight champion, who would also be dubbed the Ultimate Lightweight FighterThe winner could then go on to face Nurmagomedov in his final fight.With three big wins in the space of a year, the tournament winner would have great momentum heading into Nurmagomedov's retirement bout — and Nurmagomedov himself would have another great challenge.<h2>Here's who could compete in the 155-pound competition:</h2><div type="image" title="UFC lightweight tournament" height="1000" width="2000" msid="79264277" hostid="261"></div>Rather than fight on the same night, like UFC 1, the "Ultimate Lightweight Fighter" would be spread through nine months of competitions, similar to, but shorter than, the World Boxing Super Series — in theory.The quarter-finals, including current UFC rankings at 155-pounds, could include:<ol><li>Tony Ferguson (No.3) vs. Michael Chandler (New entrant) — <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/11/14/21565453/video-tony-ferguson-calls-for-michael-chandler-fight-at-ufc-256" target="_blank" rel="noopener">December 12, unconfirmed</a></li><li>Conor McGregor (No.4) vs. Dustin Poirier (No.2) — <a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-vs-dustin-poirier-heading-to-fight-island-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">January 23, unconfirmed</a></li><li>Justin Gaethje (No.1) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (Returning entrant)</li><li>Dan Hooker (No.5) vs. Drew Dober (No.14)</li></ol>Gaethje, Poirier, Ferguson, McGregor, and Hooker are the top-five lightweight contenders in the UFC's own ranking system, after the champion Nurmagomedov.Chandler is a former Bellator MMA champion in the same division, signed to the UFC earlier this year, and will likely be given a baptism of fire in the coming weeks.Dos Anjos is a former UFC lightweight champion, <a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-dos-anjos-bloody-felders-face-then-challenge-conor-mcgregor-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently sliced Paul Felder's face open</a>, and yearns for a 155-pound test.Dober's there because, since a submission loss in 2019, he has returned a hat-trick of knockout victories — many of them savage — and could thrive with a step-up in opposition-level.The semi-finals could look like this …<ol><li>The winner of Ferguson and Chandler vs. the winner of Hooker and Dober</li><li>The winner of Gaethje and dos Anjos vs. the winner of McGregor and Poirier</li></ol>The semi-finals could take place at the same event on Fight Island, the UFC's home-away-from-home for international events.The final could then take place at a fresh Fight Island festival scheduled later in the year, with Abu Dhabi fan-favorite Nurmagomedov sitting Octagonside, ready to step into the cage and formally challenge the winner.Much would ride on the "Ultimate Lightweight Fighter" and the UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov's match.For the reigning titleholder at 155-pounds, a new challenger has been created who would have run through a lightweight gauntlet, taking with him momentum and fan and media acclaim into the championship fight.For the tournament winner, victory over Nurmagomedov, after having already beaten three of the division's other top competitors, would represent a wipeout of 155-pound fighters.The creation of an eight-man tournament, therefore, would make Nurmagomedov's seemingly inevitable comeback the biggest, baddest thing in all MMA in 2021.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/floyd-mayweather-announces-boxing-exhibition-on-february-28-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Floyd Mayweather announces a return to the ring for a boxing exhibition on February 28</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/khaos-williams-warns-his-division-nobody-is-bulletproof-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">One of the UFC's scariest knockout artists has warned nobody is 'bulletproof,' and says he'll KO everyone in his weight class</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/frank-warren-mike-tyson-vs-roy-jones-jr-exhibition-is-sad-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">One of Britain's top promoters called the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition 'sad' because 'boxing is a young man's game'</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-uly-diaz-score-fastest-bkfc-history-ko-3-seconds-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A bare-knuckle boxer scored a 3-second knockout Friday and set a new record for the fastest KO in BKFC history</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-aaron-pico-add-frightening-ko-to-his-highlight-reel-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 24-year-old American scored a frightening KO with an awesome power punch, then trash-talked over his opponent's body</a>

You Searched For "drew dober" and got 11 results

How to get impeccably chiseled abs like UFC lightweight star Drew Dober

Alan Dawson

American fighter Drew Dober came back wildly from a near-knockout to score a thumping win of his own

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Dominant Dagestan fighter Islam Makhachev records arm triangle submission against dangerous Drew Dober

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An American fighter threw 21 punches in a fight-finishing sequence, and said he's motivated to one day take on 'the Khabibs, the Conors' of UFC

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Rising UFC star Song Yadong put Marlon Moraes' lights out with a first-round knockout shot

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Nasrat Haqparast threw 219 strikes, won a grueling battle, and said the secret to success was not wanting to kill his UFC opponent

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An American southpaw knocked his UFC opponent down with a crafty left hand, held him down with one fist, then punched him 11 times while he lay defenseless on the canvas

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One of the UFC's best lightweights, Islam Makhachev, gave his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov a glowing endorsement

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Khabib Nurmagomedov campaigns for his protege Islam Makhachev to secure a UFC title shot after ruthless run

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Khabib Nurmagomedov said life as an active MMA fighter is like being in prison

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Here's how UFC can make Khabib Nurmagomedov's seemingly inevitable comeback the biggest, baddest thing in all MMA

Alan Dawson