To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Dustin Poirier: "If I Beat Khabib, I'm The Best Lightweight Fighter In History"

Dustin Poirier: "If I Beat Khabib, I'm The Best Lightweight Fighter In History"

Poirier faces Nurmagomedov for the UFC lightweight title this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Dustin Poirier believes he'll be the best lightweight fighter in MMA history if he beats Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242.

Poirier faces the undefeated Russian phenom this weekend at UFC 242 and he thinks a win over him would mean more than just walking away from Abu Dhabi as the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

"It's huge. It's history," the 30-year-old American said when asked what a win at UFC 242 would mean to him.

"When I go out there and beat Khabib, it's not a question of am I the best UFC lightweight? It's a question of am I the best lightweight to ever fight in mixed martial arts with the run I'm on."

Poirier has rattled off four consecutive victories inside the famed Octagon. He's beaten Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez and Max Holloway in an impressive streak.

"Max Holloway, Anthony Pettis, Eddie Alvarez, Khabib Nurmagomedov, winning over those guys in a row in main events, over and over, that's the best run in lightweight history," he added.

"If I go out there and stop Khabib, I'm the best lightweight fighter to ever strap on a pair of four-ounce gloves. Simple and plain. I'm not wrong in saying it.

"This is going to start the reign. This is the fight that gives me the undisputed title. But on the other side, this is the fight where I etch my name into the history books forever. Because of this win, I'm going to forever be a part of the best of the best of mixed martial arts.

"But I'm 30-years-old and I still feel like my best fights are ahead of me. I'm starting to hit my stride. This is the beginning of 'The Diamond' reign."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Poirier, who holds the interim-UFC lightweight title, has the unenviable task of trying to derail Nurmagomedov who's unbeaten in his professional career.

The 27-0 fighter makes his anticipated return at UFC 242 after serving a suspension for his role in the post-fight brawl with Conor McGregor following their epic clash last October.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Will Poirier defeat Nurmagomedov to begin 'The Diamond' reign?

Sound off in the comment section with your prediction for Saturday's main-event.

Featured Image Credit:

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

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Darren Till, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

X

@https://twitter.com/NasJabbar