“You cannot go to the Charles Oliveira red zone,” Khabib Nurmagomedov claims Dustin Poirier needs to stay away from Oliveira’s grappling at UFC 269

“You cannot go to the Charles Oliveira red zone,” Khabib Nurmagomedov claims Dustin Poirier needs to stay away from Oliveira’s grappling at UFC 269

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier

The UFC Lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira is going to defend his title against one of the strongest Lightweight fighters, Dustin Poirier at the main event of UFC 269. Oliveira won the title that Khabib Nurmagomedov vacated by defeating Michael Chandler at UFC 262, earning his ninth straight win in this fight.

Now he is going to face one of the toughest competitors of his entire career in the form of Dustin Poirier and former Lightweight champion, Khabib believes Poirier is going to leave the Octagon with the title around his waist after UFC 269 as long as he stays away from Oliveira’s strong areas.

In his latest interview with ESPN, Khabib says, “You cannot go to the Charles Oliveira red zone, this guy is a real finisher. He’s very dangerous, and I think if Dustin Poirier takes him to the deep ocean like he told us, I think he’s going to win. But if you rush, I think Charles Oliveira is going to have a chance. My opinion: It’s 60-40 percent I think, to Dustin Poirier,”

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Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Dustin Poirier’s cardio is going to be his key to victory

Dustin Poirier
Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier

Dustin Poirier is one of those fighters who hold the strongest cardio in the UFC Lightweight division and Khabib Nurmagomedov believes his cardio and sheer will are going to be the key to victory against Charles Oliveira at UFC 269.

Khabib continued, “Because of his cardio and heart, it’s my opinion. But Charles is a very, very dangerous opponent and he knows right now he’s the real champion and because he has nine-win streak. He beat Tony Ferguson, he finished eight guys and it’s a very interesting fight for me. I think 60-40 Dustin Poirier.” {H/t MMA Junkie}

Poirier rebounded from his loss against Khabib with two stoppage victories against Conor McGregor in 2021 and ‘The Diamond’ is eager to add the last feather in his cap which is the UFC Lightweight title in his star-studded resume.

Also Read: “Just shut up and admit that,” Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why he ripped Justin Gaethje’s demand for a title shot.