Last month, Khabib Nurmagomedov successfully defended his UFC lightweight title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. He won the fight in the third round via rear-naked choke.
There were instances in the fight when it looked like Poirier might beat Khabib when he had the Russian in a tight guillotine choke, but ultimately the reigning champion was able to free himself and defeated Poirier.
The other top contender in the weight class Justin Gaethje wasn’t much impressed with Nurmagomedov’s performance.
“I think Dustin Poirier sh-t the bed. He went out there and sh-t the bed and got his ass whooped,” Gaethje said in an interview with ESPN. “He didn’t do what he needed to do and he didn’t even put up a fight. So I don’t want to go through him to get to Khabib.” (Transcription via MMA Mania)
Justin Gaethje is currently riding on a three-fight winning streak having defeated James Vick, Edson Barboza and Donald Cerrone all via first-round KO.
Gaethje was defeated Dustin Poirier in April last year at UFC on FOX 29 via TKO in the fourth round. Although Gaethje is also in line for a title shot, he would probably have to wait as former interim champion Tony Ferguson is the top contender to fight for the title.
ALSO READ:
Watch: Israel Adesanya sets early 2021 date for epic Jon Jones showdown