There was a time when Dustin Poirier wasn’t too sure he’d get a title unification fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov even with a win over Max Holloway. But after “The Diamond” bested “Blessed” at UFC 236 for the interim Lightweight strap in Atlanta, Georgia (see it), Dana White stated that Poirier would indeed be next for “The Eagle.”
And the boss’s word is good enough for the newly-crowned champ.
“We’ll see. This is a crazy sport. Nothing’s certain. I don’t know what month we’re going to fight. I’m hoping that’s the next fight. Dana [White] said it is. Khabib [Nurmagomedov] said it is so that’s what I’m expecting,” Poirier said when speaking to MMAWeekly.
Indeed, Khabib has already given his thoughts on the possible matchup by saying though he respects Dustin, he will still get mauled just like every other fighter he’s faced before him. And Dustin wouldn’t have it any other way, as he says he will look to do the same to one of the most dominate fighters in the game today.
“This is fighting. I’m going to try to hurt him for 25 minutes. I’m going to try to stop his body from working. That means nothing saying ‘I’m going to maul him’. You’re supposed to,” said Dustin.
“I expect the same from him when I say I’m going to hurt him, I expect the same that he’s going to try to hurt me and take me out. That’s what fighting is,” he added. “We’re not in there playing tennis. What can a guy say at this point? 40 fights into this crazy thing called mixed martial arts, I don’t care anymore. None of that bothers me anymore.”
If Poirier manages to score a victory over Khabib, it will add to his impressive winning streak against a who’s who of combatants which includes Justin Gaethje, Anthony Pettis, Eddie Alvarez and the aforementioned Holloway.
For Khabib, a win earns him his second straight title defense and once again opens up the gates for talks of a potential rematch against Conor McGregor.