Fight Island: Khabib Nurmagomedov arrives in Dubai for training camp ahead of UFC 254

Unbeaten lightweight champion takes on Justin Gaethje in the fifth and final show in the second Fight Island series in Abu Dhabi

Khabib Nurmagomedov after his win over Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The crowd cheer at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge (winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts) and Zak Cummings during the early matches of UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts) and Zak Cummings during the early matches of UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts, Winner) and Zak Cummings in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts) and Takashi Satō in the early matches at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sarah Moras made history by winning the first ever female UFC fight in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: The Arena. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: UAE jiu-jitsu fighter Faisal Al Ketbi. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: General sec of Abu Dhabi Sports council Aref Al Awani. Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: The Arena. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight fans take pics. Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight Fans. Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight fans. Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Khabib Nurmagomedov has arrived in Dubai to continue his training camp ahead of next month’s return to the octagon in Abu Dhabi.

The undefeated lightweight champion, who turns 32 on Sunday, headlines UFC 254 on Yas Island on October 24, when he takes on interim belt-holder Justin Gaethje in a title unification clash.

The event brings to a close a second Fight Island series in the capital, which comprises a five-show run beginning on September 27 with UFC 253. However, local organisers have yet to officially announce the upcoming residency.

A regular visitor to the Emirates, Nurmagomedov touched down in Dubai this week, and joins longtime coach Javier Mendez and teammates at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex. They began to arrive last week.

Unbeaten in 28 professional bouts, Nurmagomedov visited the emirate last month following his appearance as guest at UAE Warriors 12 in Abu Dhabi, where he supported his cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov. During his stay, he met with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, at the complex.

Nurmagomedov's fight against Gaethje represents the Russian's return to competition for the first time since last September. That bout also took place on Yas Island, where Nurmagomedov defeated then-interim champion Dustin Poirier by third-round submission at a sold out The Arena.

Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Tony Ferguson in April, but the bout fell through because of travel restrictions amid the pandemic. Gaethje eventually took on Ferguson in May, winning by TKO in the fifth round.

In July, Nurmagomedov's father and coach, Abdulmanap, died from heart complications, prompting rumours of his son's retirement.

Khabib Nurmagomedov's match-up with Gaethje rounds off what promises to be another stellar Fight Island, with Israel Adesanya’s middleweight title defence against Paulo Costa one of two championship fights at UFC 253. In the other, Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz contest the vacant light heavyweight crown.

From there, Fight Nights take place on October 4, 11 and 18, before UFC 254 closes out the promotion’s second series in Abu Dhabi. That card will also feature No 1-ranked middleweight challenger Robert Whittaker against Jared Cannonier.

The inaugural Fight Island ran from July 12-26 and comprised four events, beginning with UFC 251. All shows were staged at Flash Forum.