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Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Michael Johnson | Russia vs USA

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• published: 09 Oct 2016
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Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Michael Johnson officially set for UFC 205.UFC president Dana White confirmed that Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight Michael Johnson at UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor.Khabib Nurmagomedov will not be fighting reigning UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at Madison Square Garden, but he will still be on the UFC 205 fight card. UFC president Dana White confirmed at today's press conference that Nurmagomedov will take on Michael Johnson on Saturday, November 12th. White humorously said that he forgot to mention it while answering a media question. "How the hell did I forget that?" White said. With Alvarez set to fight Conor McGregor in the night's main event, White later went on ESPN's SportsCenter and said that Nurmagomedov (23-0) wanted to fight Michael Johnson (17-10), who'd recently expressed his own interest to fight Khabib on this historic New York City mega-show. As long as the fight doesn't fall apart, it'll be the first time Nurmagomedov has fought twice in a calendar year since he fought three times in 2013. There's no word on whether or not it will be on the night's main card (of which only two non-title fights will be on PPV) or the preliminary card. UFC 205's other championship fights are a welterweight defense for Tyron Woodley against Stephen Thompson, while Joanna Jedrzejczyk defends her strawweight belt vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz, in an all-Poland matchup. Khabib Abdulmanapovich Nurmagomedov (Russian: Хабиб Абдулманапович Нурмагомедов; Avar: ХIабиб ГӀабдулманапил НурмухӀамадов; born September 20, 1988) is a Russian mixed martial artist of Avar heritage. He is a two time Combat Sambo World Champion, a wrestler and a judo black belt who currently fights in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He currently holds one of the longest undefeated streaks in MMA with 23 straight wins. As of 18 April 2016 he is ranked the #1 contender in the UFC Lightweight division and numerous other publications. Mixed martial arts career. Nurmagomedov made his professional MMA debut in September 2008 and quickly compiled 4 wins in under a month, including 3 wins in the same night. Over the next 3 years he would go undefeated, finishing 11 out of 12 opponents along the way. This included winning the M-1 Selection Tournament and a first round armbar finish of former Bellator title contender Shahbulat Shamhalaev. A perfect 16-0 record in the regional circuits of Russia and Ukraine was enough to get a call from the UFC. Ultimate Fighting Championship In his UFC debut, Nurmagomedov defeated Kamal Shalorus on January 20, 2012 at UFC on FX 1 via submission in the third round. Nurmagomedov defeated Thiago Tavares on January 19, 2013 at UFC on FX 7. He won via KO in the first round. Nurmagomedov faced Rafael Dos Anjos on April 19, 2014 at UFC on Fox 11. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Nurmagomedov was briefly linked to a bout with Donald Cerrone on September 27, 2014 at UFC 178. However, the pairing was quickly scrapped after it was revealed that Nurmagomedov had suffered a knee injury. Nurmagomedov was expected to face Tony Ferguson on December 11, 2015 at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale.The bout with Ferguson was rescheduled and was expected to take place on April 16, 2016 at UFC on Fox 19. However, on April 5, Ferguson pulled out of the bout due to a lung issue. Nurmagomedov faced promotional newcomer Darrell Horcher at a catchweight of 160 lb. He won the fight by TKO in the second round. Personal life He was married in May 2013, and has a daughter. Nurmagomedov trains at Gadzhi Makhachev Freestyle wrestling club in Makhachkala, Dagestan and American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California. A Sunni Muslim, Khabib's appearance in EA Sports UFC 2 generated controversy, as his character model appeared to give a Catholic gesture (the sign of the cross) upon victory. EA apologised and said they would rectify the error. Michael Julian Johnson (born June 4, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Johnson faced Tony Ferguson on May 5, 2012 at UFC on Fox 3, replacing an injured Thiago Tavares. He won the fight via unanimous decision.Johnson faced Edson Barboza on February 22, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 61. He won the bout by unanimous decision.Johnson faced Nate Diaz on December 19, 2015 at UFC on Fox 17. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors. ✅ Informational partner: https://vk.com/best_of_mma