Khabib issues warning to Poirier ahead of Abu Dhabi showdown

Khabib Nurmagomedov has issued a warning to his rival Dustin Poirier that he will be a different fighter when he takes him on at UFC 242 at The Arena, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

“I’m a much better fighter than when I defeated Conor McGregor last year,” said Nurmagomedov.

“Because I won this fight, and with winning comes experience and with winning comes everything that I have right now.”

Nurmagomedov hasn’t competed since he defeated Irishman McGregor at UFC 229 in October 2018. Having now served his nine-month suspension for a controversial post-fight brawl at the event, he will look to regain the lightweight title from interim champion Poirier at the purpose-built Yas Island venue.

Despite his months of inactivity, Nurmagomedov is still widely considered the sport’s most prominent star – and it has paid off for him, with an estimated net worth of $11.5 million according to Forbes Russia.

Having spent the past few weeks training in Abu Dhabi, Nurmagomedov says he is in better shape than he has ever been, a run that includes his past four memorable victories, each one against dangerous opponents.

If all goes well for him against Poirier, Nurmagomedov would move to 28-0 in his career with a second straight title defence in the lightweight division.

While the undefeated Dagestani lightweight remains focused on the task at hand, it’s impossible not to look at what could potentially come next if he’s victorious on Sept.7.

The list of contenders vying for a title shot seems to grow with every card held by the UFC but Nurmagomedov knows only one name matters when it comes to his next title defence assuming he gets through Poirier.

“There’s only Tony Ferguson,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Fighting on Friday.

“Of course, I think he deserves. Who else? Nobody. Only Tony Ferguson I think.”

Nurmagomedov and Ferguson have been scheduled to fight four times over the past four years yet they’ve never actually met inside the Octagon.

Freak injuries, weight cutting woes and illness have prevented them from ever clashing previously but Nurmagomedov obviously believes Ferguson’s 12-fight win streak has earned him the opportunity to compete for the title.

While Ferguson is at the top of Nurmagomedov’s potential hit list after UFC 242, one person he doesn’t even want to address is former opponent Conor McGregor.

Nurmagomedov dispatched the former two-division champion last October in dominant fashion with a fourth-round rear naked choke submission at UFC 229. Despite the result, there remains a lot of bad blood between the fighters and McGregor has said he wants nothing more than to avenge his loss to Nurmagomedov when he returns to action later this year.

Meanwhile, interim lightweight champion Poirier says he has an “opportunity for greatness” when he takes on unbeaten Nurmagomedov.

American Poirier, 30, holds the title after beating Max Holloway in April.

“I’m going out there to do something that has never been done,” he said.

“How many times in our lives or in our careers do we have the chance to really do something great?

“These guys are building an arena for us to compete in. I’m travelling across the world for the biggest fight I can get possible.”

Poirier, who has won 25 and lost five of his 30 fights, said Nurmagomedov – unbeaten in 27 fights – will be “the best he’s ever been” but says he “takes pride in being the underdog”.

“I’ve been counted out a lot of times. At this point in my career, this is just another fight,” Poirier said.

“The guy is undefeated. He’s probably more favoured there but I’m embracing it. I’m doing it for all the underdogs out there.

“I have a real opportunity to be great. I will not let this slip through my fingers.”

Poirier said: “I’m confident in my skills, my ability, the work I’m putting in, my commitment to martial arts, my commitment to just getting in there and letting it all go.”