Khabib Nurmagomedov stayed focused on the prize during one of the most chaotic weeks in Ultimate Fighting Championship history, and that discipline resulted in a massive payoff.

Nurmagomedov captured the undisputed lightweight championship with a unanimous decision over Serra Longo Fight Team representative Al Iaquinta in the UFC 223 headliner on April 7 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. His win -- which was given the seal of approval with 50-44, 50-43 and 50-43 scores from the judges -- closed the book on an event that was marred by Conor McGregor’s dolly attack on a charter bus on media day. The incident resulted in injuries to Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg, prompting multiple fight cancellations and leading to McGregor’s arrest.

The undefeated Nurmagomedov now rules the 155-pound weight class with a perfect 26-0 record. “The Eagle” has plenty of worthy challengers available to him, including McGregor and Tony Ferguson. Nurmagomedov has yet to lose a round in the UFC, a run of dominance that spans 10 appearances. The Dagestani juggernaut moves to No. 1 in our latest lightweight rankings, with Ferguson and McGregor settling in hot pursuit.

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