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Dustin Poirier Gives Bold Prediction For UFC Title Fight Against Khabib Nurmagomedov

Dustin Poirier Gives Bold Prediction For UFC Title Fight Against Khabib Nurmagomedov

He faces the UFC lightweight champion on September 7.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Dustin Poirier didn't hesitate when predicting his UFC title fight against undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The interim-champion will take on the champion in a huge UFC lightweight unification bout and Poirier believes he'll not only become the first man to defeat Nurmagomedov, but also stop the Russian phenom.

"I keep going back and forth," the veteran American fighter said ahead of their September 7 bout. "I feel like I can submit Khabib, but feel like I'm going to stop him. I don't know how it's going to happen, but I'm either going to knock him out or I'm going to submit him. I'm going to finish Khabib Nurmagomedov.

"Of course, it's a huge danger. I don't want this guy to get on top of me and start pulling away with rounds. We only have five of them. If you let a guy lay on you for three, you need a finish. That's not what I'm trying to do in there.

"I'm not worried about his takedowns so much. I need to hurt this guy. That's a huge part of this training camp. Putting myself in good positions to win the rounds and win the fight. Staying off the fence. Getting up off the ground. But, at the same time, I need to do what I do.

"I have the opportunity to make history and do something that's never been done. I'm embracing that... I'm just excited that I put myself in this position and that I have an opportunity to show the world how great I am on the biggest scale possible and unify these belts. Make history - that's what this is about."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Of course, Nurmagomedov is unbeaten in 27 professional MMA fights and is 11-0 in the UFC, including a victory over Conor McGregor in his last Octagon outing.

He makes his anticipated return at UFC 242 after serving a suspension for his actions in the post-fight melee at UFC 229.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Poirier, on the other hand, is on a four-fight win streak, which includes wins over Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez and Max Holloway.

Nurmagomedov or Poirier - who're you picking to win? Let us know.

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Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, Dustin Poirier, UFC 242, UFC News, MMA News, Fight News, UFC, MMA