UFC 254 is in the books, and it saw what is probably Khabib Nurmagomedov’s last performance in the Octagon. After submitting Justin Gaethje and improving to 29-0, Nurmagomedov took to the mic to announce his retirement from mixed martial arts.
Here’s a quick twitter thread with a brief recap and analysis of the event, that’s fitting for people’s social media era attention spans:
TUIVASA TKOs STRUVE
PROS: Buzzer beater first round KO. Nice leg kicks too. Perfect way to return to the UFC for the (slimmer) Tai Shoeyvasa
CONS: Struve’s last second takedown cost him badly. COVID-era got me extra squeamish watching them spit on this https://t.co/qT5LoOIpd0
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) October 24, 2020
ANKALAEV KOs CUTELABA
PROS: He put him out cold. No question or controversy this time. Nice counter knocked him down and brutal gnp ended it. Wow!
CONS: Unless you’re Cutelaba, none!
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) October 24, 2020
HAWES SWIFTLY KOs MALKOUN
CONS: Seriously? How did this guy not get a post-fight bonus??
PROS: 18 SECONDS! WOW. https://t.co/dTfOMTJ8df
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) October 24, 2020
WHITTAKER DECISIONS CANNONIER
PROS: Great fight. Fun back and forth. Cannonier landed big leg kicks, but really struggled with Whittaker’s jab.
CONS: That was great, so unless you’re Whittaker’s leg, none!
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) October 24, 2020
KHABIB CHOKES OUT GAETHJE
PROS: Instant mount/back take & deep sub attempts each time it hit the mat. Everyone discussed the wrestling matchup but Khabib’s overall grappling was on another level
CONS: Right decision, but I also selfishly want to see more https://t.co/9Z4l4ZFoX1
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) October 24, 2020
#UFC254 OVERALL
PROS: Terrific action. Lots of good finishes, fun fights. Khabib retires. HOF career. Nice to see someone leave on his own terms
CONS: We missed out on Khabib superfights. Abu Dhabi got what they wanted on this second “Fight Island” stint https://t.co/DfyHh2rTbV
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) October 24, 2020
Bonus old tweet:
Relevant. https://t.co/FCqzsOMFSP
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) October 24, 2020
And that’s about it. For more social media musings, follow me on twitter over at @antontabuena, and of course you should do that for Bloody Elbow’s official twitter account as well.
Check out fighters’ twitter reactions along with more of our event coverage below:
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