Khabib Nurmagomedov ready to take down Justin Gaethje a hundred times

Reigning UFC lightweight world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is ready to put relentless pressure on Justin Gaethje when they meet inside the octagon.

The goliaths of the 155-pound weight class are scheduled to collide in the main event of UFC 254 on Sunday, October 25 (PHL time) at Fight Island in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

"I think he has dynamite in his hands, very good kicks. They [are] all good when they stand up but when I grab them it changes a little bit," Nurmagomedov (28-0) said during the UFC 254 virtual press con.

"I think more than Dustin and Conor, he knows how to wrestle. It's gonna be a little bit hard, but I prepare myself to try to take him down 100 times. It's going to be very interesting Saturday night," he added.

Gaethje, the 31-year-old UFC interim lightweight champion, holds a mixed martial arts record of 22-2. Renowned for packing power in both hands, the American won 19 of his fights via stoppage.

Nurmagomedov knows all too well that he could be in a world of trouble should he get caught by Gaethje, but believes that the latter tends to fade in the later rounds.

"First round he's very dangerous. I think him and Conor are the two most dangerous guys in the first round," he said. "But if you talk about the second round, third round, they become regular fighters." —MGP, GMA News