MMA
Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Dustin Poirier in the third round to unify the UFC lightweight title at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. With the rear-naked choke win, Khabib extended his record to 28-0.
Nurmagomedov dominated the fight and was rattled just once when Poirier caught him with a right hand in the second, forcing him to move back before recovering and soon taking the American back to the mat.
Khabib unified the title as the UFC has two lightweight champions. Poirier became the lightweight champion in April defeating Max Holloway at UFC 236 while Nurmagomedov was suspended.
Dustin Poirier apologized after the loss and said:
“Now I’ve got to wake up and look myself in the mirror every morning with this result.”
Nurmagomedov was overwhelmingly the crowd favorite, with fans roaring into chants of “Khabib”.
Tony Ferguson is expected to be next in the line to challenge the lightweight title but the eagle said he would rest for some days before he decides who and he fights next.
