UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje arrive in Abu Dhabi ahead of title bout - in pictures

Lightweight champion goes up against interim belt-holder Gaethje in headline bout on Saturday

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight champion, arrives at the W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island. The undefeated Russian headlines UFC 254 when he takes on Justin Gaethje. All images courtesy UFC

American Justin Gaethje arrives in Abu Dhabi ahead of his lightweight title fight against champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254.

Justin Gaethje fills out forms.

Justin Gaethje.

American light heavyweight fighter Sam Alvey.

Lauren Murphy ready to roll ahead of the final installment of 'Return to Fight Island'.

American middleweight Phil Hawes gets checked out by medical staff upon arrival at the W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island.

Jared Cannonier, one of the co-main headliners for UFC 254.

Phil Hawes.

Jared Cannonier, one of the co-main headliners for UFC 254.

Walt Harris.

Khabib Nurmagomedov arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday ahead of his highly-anticipated bout against Justin Gaethje at this weekend's UFC 254.

Nurmagomedov, the lightweight champion who boasts a perfect record of 28 wins from as many professional bouts, takes on interim belt-holder Gaethje (22-2) at the Flash Forum to close out the "Return to Fight Island" series.

It will be the Russian's first return to the octagon since he defeated Dustin Poirier at UFC 242, also in Abu Dhabi, in September 2019.

Both fighters arrived in the safe zone on Yas Island along with co-main event duo Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier as well as Phil Hawes, Jacob Malkoun, Lauren Murphy and Liliya Shakirova.