Signed, sealed, and soon-to-be delivered.
Reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, will attempt to unify the division straps when he collides with interim titleholder, Dustin Poirier, in the UFC 242 pay-per-view (PPV) main event, scheduled for Sat., Sept. 7, 2019 in Abu Dhabi.
Nurmagomedov (27-0) has not competed since his submission win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229 back in October. Aside from his disciplinary suspension handed down by “Sin City” regulators — thanks to this — “The Eagle” took the summer off for Ramadan.
As for Poirier (25-5, 1 NC), he’s been one of the more active fighters at 155 pounds, going six straight fights without a defeat and securing the substitute strap with a commanding performance against current featherweight champion, Max Holloway, in the UFC 236 headliner last April.
Also booked for UFC 242 is the heavyweight showdown between Shamil Abdurakhimov and Curtis Blaydes, while Belal Muhammad and Takashi Sato get busy in welterweight action. In addition, Ottman Azaitar and Teemu Packalen collide at 170 pounds.
Expect more UFC 242 fight card announcements in the coming weeks.