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Khabib Plans To 'Maul' Dustin Poirier In Their UFC Lightweight Unification Fight

Khabib Plans To 'Maul' Dustin Poirier In Their UFC Lightweight Unification Fight

They meet in September.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed his game plan for Dustin Poirier and it sounds brutal.

The Dagestan destroyer is set to return to the famed Octagon in September, and he'll fight interim UFC lightweight champion Poirier in a tasty unification.

Poirier claimed UFC gold by outpointing Max Holloway in a five-round war.

He's now in line to fight Nurmagomedov to unify the lightweight division.

And ahead of the 155 lbs showdown, Nurmagomedov has talked up his opponent.

"I think it was very good performance from Dustin Poirier," the undefeated UFC champion said about Poirier's performance against Holloway at UFC 236.

"Honestly, before fight I think Holloway going to beat him. This is my prediction when you talk with friends, with father, with team, but he impressed me. Dustin has impressed me.

"I think he has very good boxing, much better than before. Every fight he becomes stronger, better in boxing on his feet. I think he deserve title shot."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Poirier repeatedly tagged Holloway during their main-event bout at UFC 236 and Nurmagomedov is aware of his striking background.

"He have very good background, he have good ground game - not bad - he have good striking game," he added.

"I follow him 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 am focused on September. Five month before fight and I think it's going to be really good fight with him."

Nurmagomedov is currently serving a nine-month suspension for his actions after his UFC 229 bout against Conor McGregor.

Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier is slated for UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on September 7.

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Topics: Conor Mcgregor, Dustin Poirier, Khabib, UFC News, Nurmagomedov, Max Holloway, Fight News, UFC, MMA