Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje both made 155lbs at the official weigh-ins a few hours ago. However, many and fighters seemed to have some concern for Nurmagomedov after he needed the towel to make the championship weight.
Nurmagomedov who had struggled in the past to cut down to 155lbs, would certainly not qualify this weigh-in as one of his best. The Russian had to strip naked to make weight and was visibly relieved when he succeeded.
They're all hard cuts, but was this a harder one for Khabib? No shorts, holding arms to stand on the scale. And the look of relief after getting the official reading of 155. #UFC254pic.twitter.com/80ZKmRKUVr
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) October 23, 2020
When asked for a comment on this situation, UFC color commentator Dan Hardy had a few things to say. While his co-hosts Adam Catterall and Nick Peet thought that the weigh-ins were a clear indicator of what could happen tomorrow, Hardy was more on the fence.
"If we hear the hooter for the fourth round it's all Gaethje for me!"
"I'm more 50/50 after seeing Khabib on the scales."@DanHardyMMA and @Peety_Editor give their final thoughts for the #UFC254 main event. pic.twitter.com/CiTOtN7WwV
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 23, 2020
“If we get to the fourth round it starts to lean towards Gaethje. These first two rounds are going to be difficult for him to win against Khabib, there’s no doubt about it. The question is how does his contidtioninh holds up after 10 minutes of Wrestling? Does he get into the third round with punching power or does he start to look slower and a bit broken? I’m a little bit more 50/50 after seeing Khabib step on the scales.”
“Because I still don’t know the situation with him being so close to the weight and needed the towel. The fact that he was the first one on the scale I still think is a big statement, but I still think there was some confusion between different sets of scales on his way to the arena.”
On the other hand, Justin Gaethje looked in perfect condition on the scales and ready for the fight of his life tomorrow.
Not happy until he has the undisputed strap 🏆
⚖️ @Justin_Gaethje hits the scales at 155!
[ #UFC254 – Oct 24 – Main Card at 2pmET ] pic.twitter.com/YFpxV8ANCf
— UFC (@ufc) October 23, 2020
Despite his former struggles to make weight, it Never looked like Nurmagomedov was affected by them in the octagon but Justin Gaethje’s pace might put the champion in a very uncomfortable situation.
