MMA fans have been waiting for this fight for a long, drawn-out time, and they finally get it on Oct. 6. Who will come out on top? Arguably the best grappler in the Lightweight Division or the brash-mouthed, heavy handed, and flamboyant fighter from Ireland?

Khabib Nurmagomedov will face off against Conor McGregor for the Lightweight strap on Oct. 6t at T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas Valley, Nev. This fight was been anticipated for a long time, dating back to 2015 when McGregor was asked a question before his fight with Jose Aldo for the Featherweight title. The fan asked regarding what his plans were after the Aldo fight, if he would go up in weight and go for the Lightweight title, and who he think would hold the lightweight strap in the future and McGregor replied, “I think Khabib will get the lightweight belt.”

Nurmagomedov at the time was considered a future superstar and future title holder. Nurmagomedov was 6-0 in the UFC, winning four of those fights by unanimous decision and fans saw the potential in the young fighter from Russia.

Nurmagomedov had to be taken off three bouts from 2014 to early 2016 due to injuries and some weight-cutting issues. He made his return on the UFC Fight Night card on April 16, 2016, where he faced Darrell Horcher.

Nurmagomedov dominated the fight by taking down Horcher with ease and showed that he is considered the best grappler in his division. He also showed his elite ground and pound by defeating Horcher via technail knockout.

After that fight, Nurmagomedov faced Michael Johnson on Nov. 16, 2016, on UFC 205. Nurmagomedov was rocked in the first round but recovered quickly and dominated the fight on the ground earning the submission victory.

Nurmagomedov cemented his name as a future title contender by dominating Edson Barboza on the UFC 219 card. Barboza is considered one of if not the best striker in the lightweight division. Nurmagomedov, like his last couple of fights, dominated Barboza with his grappling and ground and pound. Nurmagomedov won via unanimous decision. He also won performance of the night, on that card as well.

After beating Barboza, Nurmagomedov was set to face Tony Ferguson for the Lightweight Championship. Unfortunately, the fight was pulled and this would be the fourth time fans would have to suffer the disappointment of not seeing Ferguson vs Nurmagomedov.

On UFC 223, Nurmagomedov faced Al Iaquinta. In this bout Nurmagomedov was the only person able to win the title, as Iaquinta weighed in two pounds over the championship weight. The fight was controlled and dominated by Nurmagomedov, and with that performance he was crowned the new Lightweight Champion.

Nurmagomedov’s hard work finally got him his money fight vs McGregor. On Oct. 6, fight fans will see who will become Lightweight Champion.