Khabib Nurmagomedov defeats Justin Gaethje and the rest of UFC 254 – in pictures

We take a look back at another memorable night at Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi

UFC 254 GALLERY: Dagestan fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje of the US after their lightweight title bout on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov clinches his victory over Justin Gaethje via a second-round triangle choke at Flash Forum. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov takes down Justin Gaethje. Getty

Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov punches Justin Gaethje. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov after his victory. Getty

Australian fighter Robert Whittaker lands a punch during his victory over Jared Cannonier of the US in their middleweight bout. Getty

Robert Whittaker after the fight against Jared Cannonier. Getty

Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker. Getty

Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier. Getty

Dagestan's Magomed Ankalaev celebrates his KO victory over Ion Cutelaba of Moldova in their light heavyweight bout on UFC's Fight Island, in Abu Dhabi. Getty

Magomed Ankalaev knocks down Ion Cutelaba. Getty

Magomed Ankalaev punches Ion Cutelaba. Getty

Russian fighter Alexander Volkov celebrates his victory over Walt Harris of the US after their heavyweight bout. Getty

Alexander Volkov punches Walt Harris. Getty

Walt Harris punches Alexander Volkov. Getty

US fighter Lauren Murphy celebrates her victory over Liliya Shakirova of Uzbekistan after their women's flyweight bout. Getty

Lauren Murphy punches Liliya Shakirova. Getty

Liliya Shakirova and Lauren Murphy during their bout. Getty

US fighter Phillip Hawes lands a punch during his 18-second victory over Jacob Malkoun of Australia in their middleweight bout. Getty

Phillip Hawes punches Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Kazakhstan's Shavkat Rakhmonov on his way to victory over Alex Oliveira of Brazil in their welterweight bout. Getty

Alex Oliveira lands a kick on Shavkat Rakhmonov. Getty

American fighter Casey Kenney lands a punch and his way to victory over Nathaniel Wood of England in their catchweight bout. Getty

Nathaniel Wood punches Casey Kenney. Getty

Australian Tai Tuivasa lands a punch on Stefan Struve of the Netherlands on his way to victory in their heavyweight bout. Getty

Stefan Struve lands a kick on Tai Tuivasa. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov called time on his mixed martial arts career following a second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi.

He wore down his opponent before locking Gaethje in a triangle choke that rendered the American unconscious to extend his remarkable record to 29 wins and no defeats.

After the fight, Nurmagomedov said he was retiring to honour the memory of his father, coach and mentor Abdulmanap, who died in July from heart complications after contracting Covid-19.

His father had schooled him in combat sports from an early age and was in his corner in Abu Dhabi in September 2019 when Khabib choked out Dustin Poirier, on that occasion using a rear naked choke in another successful lightweight title defence.

"I talked to my mother three days ago. She didn't want me to go fight without my father, but I promised her it's going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow this," an emotional Khabib said in the octagon.

in the penultimate bout at Flash Forum, Robert Whittaker defeated Jared Cannonier in their title eliminator to set up a possible rematch with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.