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Khabib Nurmagomedov wasn’t very impressed by Dustin Poirier’s struggle against Conor McGregor at UFC 257, but he thinks Poirier’s purchase must amassed be ample to set apart him the original lightweight champion.
The Russian broke down his search for to Match TV (h/t Brett Okamoto of ESPN):
“I’d not instruct Poirier and McGregor disappointed me. They confirmed nothing supernatural. I fought with Poirier, nothing special. It be the identical with Conor. I factor in that now Poirier deserves to be a champion. That’s my conception. Peek on the opponents he’s fought: Jim Miller, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Pettis, Max Holloway. These are all prime opponents they in most cases would possibly perchance perchance perchance perchance cease up within the UFC’s Hall of Repute.”
Nurmagomedov is the fresh champion and amassed ranked as the head pound-for-pound fighter in UFC, but he introduced his retirement in October after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
There was as soon as some hypothesis Khabib would possibly perchance perchance perchance perchance return to face the winner of Poirier and McGregor, but Dana White indicated there was as soon as no interest.
“I did trot to Khabib. And he acknowledged to me, ‘Dana, be loyal with yourself. I’m so many phases above these guys. I beat these guys,'” White suggested newshounds after UFC 257. “I fabricate not know. But it undoubtedly doesn’t sound very certain. We are going to look.”
It appears the 32-year-vulnerable will stay retired with a 29-0 document.
Poirier would likely glean the principle shot on the 155-pound title as soon as it is officially vacated since he’s the No. 1 challenger within the fresh rankings.
The 32-year-vulnerable beforehand gained the intervening time lightweight championship in 2019 with a purchase over Max Holloway but lower than five months later lost to Nurmagomedov. The Louisiana native replied with a purchase over Dan Hooker and a convincing knockout against McGregor on Jan. 24.
With a knockout victory over Gaethje in 2018 also on his resume, there are few with the next tell to the following title.
The crimson-hot Charles Oliviera, the division’s No. 3 contender, would possibly perchance perchance perchance perchance also glean a shot after eight straight wins, while a trilogy bout against McGregor shall be a possibility for Poirier. Nate Diaz listed Poirier as a likely option for his next struggle but suggested ESPN’s Ariel Helwani he doesn’t must compete within the lightweight division.
