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MMAjunkie Radio co-host and MMAjunkie contributor Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for UFC 229.

UFC 229 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Khabib Nurmagomedov (26-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC)

Staple info:

• Height: 5’10” Age: 30 Weight: 155 lbs. Reach: 70″
• Last fight: Decision win over Al Iaquinta (April 7, 2018)
• Camp: American Kickboxing Academy (San Jose, CA)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Risk management: Fair

Supplemental info:
+ UFC lightweight champion
+ 2x world sambo champion
+ 2x Russian combat sambo champion
+ M-1 Selecton champion
+ 8 KO victories
+ 8 submission wins
+ 10 first-round finishes
+ Relentless pace and pressure
+ Improved striking game
^ Deceptively heavy hands
+ Strong inside the clinch
^ Superb underhook awareness
+ Diverse takedown acumen
^ Chains attempts seamlessly
+ Excellent transitional grappler
^ 45 passes in 10 fights
+ Underrated guard and submissions
+ Powerful ground striker

Conor McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC)

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Photos: Best of Conor McGregor

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• Last fight: TKO win over Eddie Alvarez (Nov. 12, 2016)
• Camp: SBG Ireland (Dublin, IE.)
• Stance/striking style: Southpaw/kickboxing
• Risk management: Fair

Supplemental info:
+ UFC lightweight and featherweight titles
+ Cage Warriors lightweight and featherweight titles
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt
+ 18 KO victories
+ 1 submission win
+ 13 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Athletic and agile mover
+ Excellent footwork
^ Manages distance well
+ Accurate left cross
^ Adjusts attack angles nicely
+ Diverse kicking arsenal
+ Improved wrestling/takedown defense
^ Solid base and balance
+ Underrated grappling acumen
^ Deceptive sample size

Point of interest: Pressure

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The main event for UFC 229 will feature two men with completely different styles, sharing one common thread – pressure.

Conor McGregor, who, despite often being labeled a counter striker, depends heavily on pressure to kickstart his rhythm and open up opportunities.

Operating out of a southpaw stance, McGregor masterfully dictates distance, tossing out feints and fakes that take up a presence of their own. The Irishman commands a diverse arsenal of strikes, whether he is throwing front kicks, spinning kicks or shovel hooks. However, these weapons are primarily used in a corralling effort to get McGregor’s opponents into his kill zone.

A well known tool in the two-division champion’s wheelhouse, McGregor’s left cross is about as dynamic as they come. Whether he is launching his left from inside-slips over the top or taking the inside angle off the counter, the 30-year-old Irishman’s placement is pristine.

What is most impressive about McGregor’s accuracy is the way in which he utilizes angles to adjust to his oncoming opposition (who are typically trying to enter or escape as far from the power side as possible). From his step-offs to the side, to the way in which McGregor pivots his feet, all allow for the SBG Ireland fighter to pitch his punches in a variety of forms.

Although McGregor will carry an on-paper edge inside of this space, he is still ultimately being tasked to stop a train from gaining its momentum.

Enter Khabib Nurmagomedov.

An aggressive combat sambo champion who has made his mark since entering the organization, Nurmagomedov has shown steady improvements in this area.

Incorporating a heavy dose of feints, the 30-year-old Dagestani draws out his opponents’ reactions so that he can create openings for his approach. From shovel hooks to overhand rights, it is Nurmagomedov’s commitment to his punches that make them quietly potent.

In his battle with Edson Barboza, we saw Nurmagomedov tighten up his defenses, demonstrating a tighter shell and smoother flow than we’re accustomed to seeing from him. But in his last fight with Al Iaquinta, Nurmagomedov played it much more fast and loose on the feet, keeping a lower guard and allowing for unnecessary exchanges.

The current champ did show a solid jab and reaffirmed his unquestioned gameness, but striking for prolonged instances with McGregor will not behoove him.

Next point of interest: Wrestling