Dustin Poirier Responds To Khabib: “I’m Going To Try To Stop His Body From Working”
Dustin Poirier is coming off a hard-fought five-round submission win over current featherweight champion Max Holloway in a 155-pound interim title fight at UFC 236 earlier this month. Following his victory ‘The Diamond’ reserves his spot for a title unification bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Rumors are rumbling from past few weeks that highly anticipated bout between Khabib and Poirier likely will take place in September at UFC Abu Dhabi Pay-Per-View event.
Following UFC St.Petersburg event Megan Olivi caught up with Khabib Nurmagomedov where she asked Russian about the potential matchup on that ‘Eagle’ said he must maul him.
Speaking with MMAWeekely in a recent interview, Poirier didn’t take Khabib’s comment’s seriously said this’s fighting and plans to batter his foe when they clash inside the Octagon.
“This is fighting. I’m going to try to hurt him for 25 minutes. I’m going to try to stop his body from working,” Poirier said. “That means nothing saying ‘I’m going to maul him’. You’re supposed to. I expect the same from him when I say I’m going to hurt him, I expect the same that he’s going to try to hurt me and take me out. That’s what fighting is.
“We’re not in there playing tennis. What can a guy say at this point? 40 fights into this crazy thing called mixed martial arts, I don’t care anymore. None of that bothers me anymore.”
‘The Diamond’ says he’s unsure about the date but expecting the event will take place this September.
“That’s exactly what I want,” Poirier said about fighting in September. “Just that. I want to spend a couple months at home training, helping out local guys, friends of mine who fight professionally here in Louisiana. Maybe I’ll take a couple weekend trips up to Florida just to work on some stuff. But I’d really like to lock in July sometime, head up to Florida for the long haul for another camp.
“We’ll see. This is a crazy sport. Nothing’s certain. I don’t know what month we’re going to fight. I’m hoping that’s the next fight. Dana [White] said it is. Khabib [Nurmagomedov] said it is so that’s what I’m expecting.”
Expect an official announcement in the coming weeks.
Who do you think will come out on top?
