Khabib Nurmagomedov sets terms for McGregor vs Poirirer 2: winner must be 155 for a title shot

Khabib Nurmagomedov sets terms for McGregor vs Poirirer 2: winner must be 155 for a title shot
The winner of McGregor vs Poirirer 2 could get a shot at the lightweight championship against Khabib Nurmagomedov

Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier are all set to have their much awaited rematch on Jan 23rd, 2021. The match has been built for quite a while now, and it looks like the stakes have just become higher. Turns out lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov is up for the winner getting a potenial shot at his title. However, Nurmagomedov set some terms for the match-up.

“You have to fight at 155”: Khabib Nurmagomedov

McGregor vs Poirirer 2 is set for Jan 23rd, 2021

Although he is up for the fight, Nurmagomedov won’t entertain the notion of a title defense against Conor McGregor or Dustin Poirier unless their fight is contested at 155 pounds. This is what he had to say,

“I still feel this but you have to fight at 155,” Nurmagomedov says. “If they fight at 170 or 185, this is not lightweight contender fight. If you want to fight at lightweight contender for the belt you have to fight at lightweight. What is this, like? ‘OK, I’m champion at 155. OK, give me a fight at 170. OK, let’s make weight with Justin Gaethje at 170.’ Same thing. If you want to fight for the title at 155, you have to make 155.”

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He also had issues with Poirier letting McGregor dictate their fight, Nurmagomedov said, “This is just my opinion. You have to say something. Hey, this is my opinion. He has to do something to it. OK, they ask him to fight. Conor say ‘I’m going to donate you money.’ He said, ‘Yes, yes, yes, anywhere,’ but Dustin is a lightweight fighter. He’s not a welterweight fighter. Why are you going to fight at 170? If you want to fight for the title next, you have to make 155 (and) fight in the lightweight division.“

Nurmagomedov has beaten both Poirier and McGregor, defeating Poirier via submission in the third round at at UFC 242. He beat McGregor at UFC 229 via submission in the 4th round to win the lightweight championship. With a potential rematch with either of them looming, it’s sure he will be watching their fight with great interest.

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