Khabib Nurmagomedov wins first UFC title for Russia

NEW YORK: Khabib Nurmagomedov won the first UFC lightweight title for Russia with a dominant five-round victory over Al Iaquinta of the United States at UFC 223, in Brooklyn, New York.

Nurmagomedov dominated Iaquinta within five rounds for a unanimous decision victory, handing him the lightweight title and making him Russia’s first ever champion in the promotion.

Iaquinta, who had stepped in as a last-minute replacement for the fight, could not compete against Nurmagomedov’s dominant technique in both the ground game and stand-up fighting, losing all five rounds of the bout.The undefeated Russian’s victory moves him to a record of 26-0 in professional MMA, including 10-0 in UFC.

Russian Powerhouse Nurmagomedov had the dominance the bout from start to finish, mauling Iaquinta with his wrestling and grappling in the first two rounds, out-striking him in the remaining three rounds.

While giving tribute to his coaches and training partners, Nurmagomedov then called for a bout with Canadian legend St-Pierre in the Big Apple later this year.

"Now I want to fight with Georges St-Pierre in New York, at Madison Square Garden in November," he declared, before turning his attention to the man who’d just taken him the distance, and taking a shot at former champion Conor McGregor in the process.