Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says Conor McGregor has five minutes to beat Dustin Poirier before “The Diamond” cinches their trilogy at UFC 264.
Former UFC Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov expects UFC 264: Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor 3 to play out similarly to the pair’s clash at UFC 257.
Poirier (27-8-0-1) defeated McGregor (22-5) via second-round TKO at UFC 257 at Fight Island, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on Sat., Jan. 24 to tie up their series 1-1. Nurmagomedov, who holds victories over both men, gave his prediction for the rubber match at UFC 264 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sat., July 10, 2021, via ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV).
“It’s the same thing [as the previous fights],” Khabib told UFC Russia (h/t RT). “If it’s the first round [for a finish], I’d back Conor. From the second and further, then Dustin [wins].”
Nurmagomedov also shared his thought on the health of the 155-lbs division in the aftermath of his retirement.
“It’s a nice composition of the division. The Brazilians, if you look at [Charles] Oliveira and [Rafael] dos Anjos. The Americans are well represented. Poirier, [Justin] Gaethje, Chandler,” said the former lightweight king. “You could say it’s like a world war, the Brazilians, the Americans, the Russians.
“This division has always been the most interesting and the strongest,” he concluded. “It will be fun by the end of the year.”
Nurmagomedov (29-0) retired from professional mixed martial arts following a second-round technical submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on Sat., Oct. 24 on Fight Island — his third defense of the UFC Lightweight championship. He retired with a perfect record and scalps of Gaethje, Poirier, McGregor, Al Iaquinta, Edson Barboza, Michael Johnson and Rafael dos Anjos, among others.
UFC 264 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sat., July 10, 2021, via ESPN+ PPV.
Take a look at the UFC 264 line up here.