ABU DHABI – Javier Mendez doesn’t think Khabib Nurmagomedov will be facing his sternest test to date Saturday. UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) defends his title against Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 254, which takes place at Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. With his collegiate wrestling background and proverbial dynamite in his hands, Gaethje (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) possesses a well-rounded game that could give the undefeated champion some trouble. But Mendez thinks Nurmagomedov has already faced his toughest challenge when he submitted Conor McGregor at UFC 229 to retain his title. Although it was a mostly dominant performance by Nurmagomedov, McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) took a round from him, which no one else has done. At a pre-fight news conference Thursday in Abu Dhabi, Mendez explained why he thinks McGregor, not Gaethje, will remain Nurmagomedov’s biggest test.
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Javier Mendez: Justin Gaethje second biggest threat to Khabib after Conor McGregor – MMA Junkie