A unification title bout between reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and newly minted interim champion Dustin Poirier hasn't officially been announced yet, but most figure that's the fight that makes sense for the division.
Weighing in on his potential next opponent, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is currently serving a suspension for his post-fight brawl at UFC 229, offered his thoughts on Dustin Poirier.
“Long time, I follow him. He have very good background,” Nurmagomedov said of Poirier during the UFC St. Petersburg post-fight show. “He have good ground game, not bad. He have good striking game. I follow him a long time. And, versus me? I think I have to maul him, like I do with everybody. This is what I have to do. I respect him like fighter, like human, but when we go to the cage, I have to maul this guy. This is what I want. And right now I’m focused on September, five months before fight, and I think it’s going to be very good fight with him.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov has a perfect 27-0 record, and has dominated UFC's lightweight division since entering the promotion in 2012. He's put together a flawless 11-0 record with a resume that includes impressive victories over Al Iaquinta, Edson Barboza, Rafael dos Anjos and, most notably, Conor McGregor.
Poirier (25-5, 1 NC) is no slouch though, putting together his own impressive run through the division, which includes wins over ANthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, and Max Holloway. Nurmagomedov admitted that he didn't think Poirier would beat Holloway, but acknowledged that since he did, he deserves the title shot.
“I think he has very good boxing, much better than before. Every fight, he becomes stronger and better in boxing, on his feet. And I think he deserves [the] title show," Nurmagomedov added. "I think because he’s already interim UFC lightweight champion, I am real lightweight champion, we have to fight. And now we’re working on this.”
Are you excited for a potential lightweight championship match between Dustin Poirier and Khabib Nurmagomedov?