Khabib Nurmagomedov says Dustin Poirier will be UFC lightweight champion by the end of 2021

Former UFC Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov believes that Dustin Poirier will be the lightweight champion by the end of the year and not Charles Oliveira.

Khabib Nurmagomedov was regarded as one the best fighters on the planet and the greatest lightweight fighter ever. He retired from the sport while being on top of it. He retired as the undefeated and undisputed lightweight champion and also a pound-for-pound no.1 fighter in the UFC.

Khabib Nurmagomedov last fought against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 and won the fight via triangle choke in round two. After winning the fight he announced his retirement after achieving an astonishing MMA record of 29-0. A few months later UFC Vacated his lightweight belt and at UFC 262 Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira fought for that vacated lightweight belt. Charles Oliveira defeated Chandler via TKO in round 2.

Khabib Nurmagomedov says Poirier will be the champion

After Nurmagomedov retired and vacated the UFC Lightweight belt a new champion now sits on his throne. Charles Oliveira who is on an amazing winning streak is the new champion. Still, the former champion thinks Poirier might be a better fighter than Oliveira and he might become the champion by the end of this year.

In a recent interview with Sport 24, Khabib expressed his thoughts on the lightweight division.

“He seems to have eight wins in a row,” Khabib said. “So many early finishes. As I remember, only against Tony Ferguson did he have a full fight. I think Oliveira is a very worthy champion. Many finishes, many records in the UFC. It would be a shame if Michael Chandler won. Two fights in the UFC and already a champion? That would somehow be wrong. And Charles Oliveira has progressed very much. This is a worthy champion. I’m glad for him.”

“But when Islam Makhachev rises in the rankings, Oliveira will no longer be champion,” Khabib continued. “The main thing is that Oliveira should understand my words correctly. I respect him, he is a worthy champion. But when Islam will go up, there will be another champion within the year. In my eyes it will be Dustin Poirier.”

Dustin Poirier is now preparing for his trilogy fight against Conor Mcgregor. The score between them is tied to 1-1. The winner of the fight between them will definitely be challenging for the title real soon.

Who do you guys think will be the lightweight champion by the end of the year?

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