Yesterday, we brought word that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight interim champion, Israel Adesanya, opened as the betting underdog against Robert Whittaker for their late summer showdown.
Well, it seems that once again the reigning division champion will be favored over the newly-crowned interim titleholder, as Dustin Poirier opened at +220 against lightweight deity Khabib Nurmagomedov (-260), according to BetOnline.
Nurmagomedov remains undefeated at 27-0, which includes 17 finishes. He was last seen submitting Conor McGregor at UFC 229 back in October. As for Poirier (25-5, 1 NC), he captured the substitute strap by turning away Max Holloway at UFC 236 last weekend in Atlanta (watch it). “The Diamond” is 5-0 (1 NC) in his last six appearances.
Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier is expected to take place at some point in September, assuming both parties remain healthy (and drama free). No question the lines will shift in each direction between now and then, but expect “The Eagle” to remain the favorite.
At least until someone can figure out how to stop his takedowns.