Nurmagomedov vs. Barboza official for UFC 219:

The victor surely faces McGregor or Ferguson.

Arguably the most exiting matchup at Lightweight today besides a potential McGregor-Ferguson meeting has finally been inked, as undefeated Sambo specialist Khabib Nurmagomdeov returns to action alongside the #3 ranked Muay Thai phenom Edson Barboza. 'The Eagle' who has recently experienced some weight cutting issues, snatched a Kimura win over Michael Johnson back at UFC 205, while Rio de Janerio native Barboza, book ended his three fight win streak with an explosive flying knee victory over Beneil Dariush, to reinsert himself into title contention.

Despite some recent discipline controversy, Khabib presents himself as one of if not the most credible danger at 155lbs today, to either the aformentioned McGregor, or multiple time planned opponent, 'El Cucuy' Ferguson. holding two Sambo World Championship crowns, Nurmagomedov has so far steam rolled each opponent placed in front of him, whether that be former division gold holder Rafael Dos Anjos, slick boxer Michael Johnson, or Abel Trujillo, where the Dagestan mauler set a new UFC takedown record, scoring a mind boggling 21 successful shoots, but in his December 31st meeting with Barboza, any striking exchanges are most favourable for Edson.

With 11 scorching knockouts in his professional career, Barboza is one of the greatest Muay Thai practitioners to ever grace the octagon. Holding 3 separate leg kick stoppages, expect the Brazilian to chew up the heavy lead leg of Khabib early and often to mitigate any potential grappling exchanges, where Barboza is an obvious second favourite. Barboza is undoubtedly the most dangerous and explosive striker to face Khabib, with his credentials in Kickboxing and Muay Thai prime examples. The art of eight limbs is certainly a code of honour Barboza lives by, stopping Terry Etim with a highlight reel wheel kick, Evan Dunham with a winching body kick, and 'Benny' Dariush with a stiffening knee. So leg kicks, switch wheels, wheel kicks and knees will have to be closely monitored by 'The Eagle' when seeking to imply his dominant wrestling game.

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