K. Nurmagomedov (left) faces D. Poirier (right) in the UFC 242. Photo: Montagem SL / MMA Press
It took months of negotiations until finally confirmation: Khabib Nurmagomedov will face Dustin poirier in the main fight of UFC 242, on September 7th, in Abu Dhabi. Ultimate published on its social networks, in the early afternoon of this Monday (4), the poster announcing the duel. The Russian has not performed since October last year, when he defeated Conor McGregor.
"Khabib Nurmagomedov against Dustin poirier is official for UFC 242”, published the company on its official accounts.
The duel between the two has been scheduled since Dustin poirier derrotou Max Holloway in a valid dispute for the interim title of the lightweight category (up to 70,3kg.), in the UFC 236, on April 13.
Khabib was out of fights after serving a nine-month ban as a result of the confusion that occurred at UFC 229, in which the Russian, after submitting McGregor, jumped over the bars of the Octagon and tried to hit one of the members of the Irishman's team. Nurmagomedov's action generated widespread confusion at the venue, meaning the athletes had to leave the space supported by Ultimate security guards.
Current interim champion, Poirier will face a complicated opponent. The Russian, linear lightweight champion, has never been defeated in a professional MMA presentation. The American, however, showed his qualities after defeating the featherweight champion (up to 65,7kg) in a historic fight and proved himself worthy of the chance to face Khabib.
At 30 years old, Dustin debuted for Ultimate in 2011. Since then, he has had 22 fights for the company, winning 17 victories, four defeats and one unsuccessful fight.
Khabib, 30, in turn, played for the UFC for the first time in 2012. The athlete, little by little, left his mark on the company and, in 11 fights, he was never defeated. In total, he had 27 fights, without setbacks.
