UFC president Dana White has seemingly confirmed that UFC 254 on Fight Island will feature a special start time.<\/p>\n
The plan appears to be for the UFC 254 card, which will be headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje for the UFC Lightweight Championship, to be broadcast in the afternoon in the United States – allowing for European fans to watch it in primetime.<\/p>\n
This is similar to what the promotion did for UFC 242 which also took place in Abu Dhabi, and also featured Nurmagomedov in the main event where he defended his title against Dustin Poirier.<\/p>\n
\nDana White tells me #UFC254<\/a> will be held in european prime time at #UFCFightIsland2<\/a> so fans can see Khabib Nurmagomedov Vs. Justin Gaethje. Afternoon in American time like what they did on #UFC242<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Mvv9cOLsvh<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 C. Contreras Legaspi (@CCLegaspi) September 9, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
With Fight Island’s last run of events all airing in primetime for the United States, it does seem as if this accommodation by White has been made for Nurmagomedov – perhaps to maximize the overseas PPV sales for UFC 254 as well as those back home.<\/p>\n
Still, while Nurmagomedov may be the name on everyone’s lips heading into this event, that isn’t going to stop Justin Gaethje from trying to implement his own gameplan<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou gotta self-defense. Without the footwork, you can\u2019t stay out of the fence,\u201d Gaethje said on a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, breaking down his gameplan for his UFC 254 fight Nurmagomedov. \u201cIf he is taking a shot in the open then he will drive you down to the fence. He\u2019s not gonna attempt takedowns in the open. You watch all of his fights. You\u2019ll maybe see five takedowns that he attempted in the middle of the cage. He\u2019ll start in the middle but he is too pushy towards the cage.\u201d<\/p>\n