The undefeated Russian, Khabib Nurmagomedov showed why he’s the best lightweight in the world, and one of the sports best, scores a dominant win over last-minute replacement Al Iaquinta by unanimous decision (50-43, 50-43, 50-44) to become the undisputed lightweight champion. But many of his top competitors saw holes in his game and weren’t impressed by his performance.
Former lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez, is among them who took a jab at newly crowned champion Nurmagomedov and said in his social media post that he is the only guy in UFC who can beat ‘The Eagle.’
“I am Khabib’s Kryptonite,” Alvarez said on Instagram (via MMA Fighting). “You all know it. It’s the elephant in the room. I’m the guy in the lightweight division, the only guy, that can beat Khabib. Everyone knows it. He can run to Georges [St-Pierre] or run to Conor [McGregor] or run to whoever, I’m the guy. I’m the guy to put that ‘1’ in that loss column.”
Last week, when Tony Ferguson pulled out of UFC 223 card due to an injury, promotion reached out to Alvarez briefly for stepping in for replacement, but “The Underground King” wasn’t meant as he was way over championship weight limit.
“I will be gunning for the lightweight championship belt,” said Alvarez. “Khabib’s gonna take some time off, I believe, for prayer and reflection.
I don’t know where that leaves me but I’m gonna sit down with the UFC and let them know, I’m the guy to dethrone this man, I’m the guy to give him his loss. I beat champions, that’s what I thrive on. I love belts. I love collecting them. I love beating champions.”
“Khabib is king – temporarily,” said Alvarez. “Everything is temporary. . . Let ‘The Underground King’ do it one more time and get that belt back.”
After winning the crown, Nurmagomedov has mentioned two fights Georges St-Pierre or Conor McGregor he would most like to fight next, though St-Pierre is seemingly uninterested at the moment. Conor Mcgregor is dealing with his legal troubles, and his return seems uncertain for the time being.
Eddie Alvarez, who is coming off an impressive KO win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 218 back in December of 2017.
