Undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim titleholder Dustin Poirier will come face-to-face next week in London, England, for the first official press conference for UFC 242, per a recent announcement by the promotion.
The event, which takes places inside TBC in central London this coming Wednesday, June 12 will be open to media members only.
Nurmagomedov, who just signed a massive deal with UFC, is coming off a submission win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229 last October. A post-fight brawl against Team Mac left Khabib suspended for the last nine months, but the Russian superstar is gearing up for a memorable return to the Octagon. He’ll bring an unscathed professional MMA record of 27-0 (11-0 UFC) with him.
Poirier, who is coming off a fabulous win over UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway this past April to claim the interim lightweight title, will be looking to pull off the biggest victory of his career when he meets Khabib this September. Not only will “Diamond” be fighting close to enemy territory, but he’ll be testing his skill against a fighter who has never lost a round in UFC competition.
Maybe Poirier can gain some leverage over Khabib on the microphone next week in London.
UFC 242 is set to go down on September 7 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside The Arena, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It will also feature an important heavyweight clash between contenders Curtis Blaydes and Shamil Abdurakhimov.
Stick with Mania for ongoing UFC 242 coverage.