Jump directly to the content

UNDEFEATED Khabib Nurmagomedov won the UFC lightweight title after dominating underdog and late replacement Al Iaquinta.

After a eventful build up to the UFC 223 card in Brooklyn, Khabib won by unanimous decision to relinquish the belt Conor McGregor held.

 Khabib Nurmagomedov won the UFC lightweight title in Brooklyn on Saturday
5
Khabib Nurmagomedov won the UFC lightweight title in Brooklyn on SaturdayCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Khabib Nurmagomedov beat Al Iaquinta on points in Brooklyn
5
Khabib Nurmagomedov beat Al Iaquinta on points in BrooklynCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Iaquinta stepped in after Tony Ferguson was injured and his replacement Max Holloway didn't make the weight.

Khabib thanked Iaquinta for taking the fight at short notice and hit out at McGregor.


'HE'LL BE BACK' McGregor's manager launches to UFC star's defence after New York arrest


He said: “It’s crazy, 26-0, 10 wins in the UFC and lightweight champion.

“Thank you Iaquinta, other guys didn’t want to take this fight. He is a real Brooklyn gangster.

"He is not a chicken, he comes here, where is Conor?

"He wants to fight with bus, I want to fight with real gangsters."

Conor McGregor's bus rampage caught in new footage showing bloody victim as he texts UFC chief: 'It had to be done'
 Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated the one-sided fight against his late replacement opponent
5
Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated the one-sided fight against his late replacement opponentCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 The undefeated Russian celebrates his latest win to clinch the UFC lightweight title
5
The undefeated Russian celebrates his latest win to clinch the UFC lightweight titleCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Khabib cruised past Iaquinta to a points victory with the judges scoring the fight 50-43, 50-43 and 50-44.

The undefeated Russian didn’t manage to get a stoppage but was still good enough to claim the title McGregor was forced to give up.

McGregor was stripped of the title because he hasn’t fought in the UFC since he won the lightweight belt against Eddie Alvarez in November 2016 at UFC 205.

McGregor’s last fight was in a boxing ring against Floyd Mayweather in August last year when he lost in the 10th round via a TKO.

Khabib remains undefeated with this 26th straight win, and his 10th straight victory in the UFC.

 Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his win in Brooklyn on Saturday
5
Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his win in Brooklyn on SaturdayCredit: AP:Associated Press
Topics