Dustin Poirier: “I Am Kinda Leaning Toward Khabib Nurmagomedov Versus Conor McGregor”
Dustin Poirier will keep a close eye on the fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229. If he defeats Nate Diaz at the co-main event of UFC 230, he has good chances to face Nurmagomedov vs McGregor winner for the UFC Lightweight belt!
Poirier predicts the undefeated Dagestani has better chances of earning a victory. Yet, Dustin Poirier is unsure of the outcome. It might be a knockout or a decision win but he favors Khabib anyway. (via MMAFighting.com)
“I’m kinda leaning toward Khabib,” Poirier said Monday on The MMA Hour. “I just don’t know if he’s going to stop Conor or whatnot, but I’m thinking he’s going to get the victory.”
Dustin Poirier felt on his own skin how dangerous The Notorious can be. Back in UFC 178, McGregor pressured him all the time and won the fight via TKO. After only 1:46 in the first round, The Diamond ended up on the ground receiving Irishman’s flurry of punches. This is the main reason why Poirier won’t underestimate Conor McGregor.
Poirier describes Conor’s list of advantages. He also believes the fight is an ultimate test for The Notorious’ cardio and takedown defense.
“I mean, he has a huge chance,” Poirier said. “He’s got great timing, great judge of distance. We’ll just see if the takedown defense holds up and the cardio holds up. That’s all he has to do. The openings will be there, but he just has to stand the test of the wrestling and the conditioning, the physical part that Khabib’s going to put on early in the fight.”
Conor McGregor didn’t fight since his victory over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November 2016. He had a professional boxing debut versus Floyd Mayweather Jr last year. But this could only mean he has improved punching. And where is grapple defense, ground game, submissions? He needs to work on all areas of the game to put an undefeated superstar to sleep.
Don’t forget Mystic Mac wasted so much time challenging The Eagle on Twitter. The rivalry between the two of them reaches boiling point. Conor might have lost the feel of the fight. But, surprisingly, Dustin Poirier believes two years outside of the octagon doesn’t make a difference.
“It’s all a mindset, really,” Poirier said. “Once you get your rhythm down, your timing, everything else falls into place.”
Would you favor Conor or Khabib? Would you like to see the match between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier? After all, they both have one thing in common – TKO victory over Eddie Alvarez!
