Dustin Poirier tells former foe Justin Gaethje how to beat Khabib Nurmagomedov after almost submitting him at UFC 242
Dustin Poirier believes Justin Gaethje has all of the skills required to end Khabib Nurmagomedov’s undefeated streak and take the UFC lightweight crown in September.
After a punch-perfect performance against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, Gaethje is expected to get the chance to unify the 155lbs division against the fearsome Russian, who holds a 28-0 record.
The last man to fall to Khabib was Poirier himself, who held the interim title like Gaethje and wanted to become undisputed world champion.
Dustin Poirier is gunning for the UFC world title, but has given Justin Gaethje tips as well
‘The Diamond’ refused to crack under pressure and made a winning return to the octagon on Saturday night at the Apex in Las Vegas as his enthralling five-round war with Dan Hooker saw his hand raised and credibility restored.
And having had ‘The Eagle’ locked in a tight guillotine during their bout at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi last year, Poirier believes Gaethje has the skill set and physical attributes to score what would surely be a huge upset.
“If Justin can keep his back off the fence, I believe he can out-scramble Khabib in the open,” he told TMZ Sports.
“He just has such a pedigree in collegiate wrestling and that open mat area is going to be where Justin shines in the wrestling.
Gaethje (right) defeated Tony Ferguson (left) at UFC 249
Poirier got back in the win column against Dan Hooker
“If Khabib can get him against the fence, I believe Justin will be in trouble but we’ll see if he can stick to the game plan.
“I would assume that’s going to be his game plan – to stay in the middle, make Khabib wrestle in the open and throw big punches.”
Before embarking on a sensational run of victories which culminated in the win over Ferguson in May, ‘The Highlight’ was stopped in four rounds by Poirier.
Showing the crisp boxing and efficient takedown defence which has propelled him high into the UFC’s win column, the Louisiana-native delivered a clinical and thrilling fight back in April 2018.
‘The Eagle’ made Poirier tap in the third round last September
‘The Diamond’ defeated Gaethje in April 2018
And even though he was unsuccessful in trying to topple Khabib, Poirier feels it his destiny to stand at the top of the lightweight pile.
“I feel like I’m the best in the world,” Poirier told ESPN. “I made mistakes and I got beaten by Khabib, but I know that I can beat Khabib Nurmagomedov. I know I can.
“I can beat anyone of these guys. I don’t want to get anyone back. I’m not in the grudge match business.
“I want to be the best in the world. I want to be the undisputed world champion.”
9-year-old Khabib Nurmagomedov wrestles a bear as a child in Dagestan
No comments:
Post a Comment