Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje were largely cordial, yet competitive in the buildup to their UFC 254 bout in September 2020. Now in 2021, things have taken a different tone, as Nurmagomedov training partner and now underling Islam Makhachev races Gaethje to be first to challenge for UFC lightweight gold in 2022. Both Gaethje (23-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) and Makhachev (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) are coming off big wins in recent weeks. At UFC 268 on Saturday, Gaethje defeated former Bellator champion Michael Chandler via unanimous decision. One week prior, Makhachev made quick work of Dan Hooker with a first-round submission . With champion Charles Oliveira scheduled for Dec
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