Legendary UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov had a number of iconic title defences in his career, with one standing out in fan’s memories.
At UFC 242 in September of 2019, the undefeated Dagestani champion welcomed fan favourite Dustin Poirier to Abu Dhabi for a major title showdown. A devout Muslim, Nurmagomedov, was treated like a hometown fighter in the region.
The American had crowned an impressive six-fight unbeaten streak with an interim lightweight title win over Max Holloway months prior. But he faced a very stern test in Nurmagomedov, who managed to submit him in the third round after a surprisingly back-and-forth fight.
Dustin Poirier came within inches of dethroning Khabib Nurmagomedov
During Nurmagomedov’s run to UFC legend status, the Russian barely looked in danger of losing a round in most fights, much less ever tasting defeat. He had arguably lost one fight to Gleison Tibau, although he ended up winning that decision, and had otherwise run through the lightweight division.
However, the unbeaten lightweight ended up in a dangerous position halfway through the third round against Poirier. The Louisiana native pulled guillotine and had the submission tightly locked in, with many feeling that this was the moment Nurmagomedov would finally taste defeat.
Unfortunately for Poirier, he couldn’t get full control in the position. And when Nurmagomedov got his head free he almost immediately took over proceedings and landed a submission of his own with a rear naked choke.
Khabib Nurmagomedov gave secret message to Islam Makhachev ahead of Dustin Poirier fight
One man who was a close friend and teammate of Nurmagomedov’s during his career was current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The duo came through the ranks together, and are now etched in the history books together as 155lb champions.
Makhachev was appearing yesterday on Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen’s Good Guy/Bad Guy show on ESPN when he noted a story from backstage at that famed Abu Dhabi event. He claims that giving up the guillotine position was pre-planned in an effort to exhaust Poirier in the later rounds.
“Before the fight, I swear to God Khabib told me, ‘hey catch me in guillotine, I have to feel’.” Makhachev told Cormier and Sonnen. “I will give him my neck and make him tired, and what we did in the locker room before the fight.”
Islam Makhachev admits he doesn’t respect Dustin Poirier’s guillotine
In that mould, Makhachev admitted that he doesn’t really fear the potential of being submitted by one of Poirier’s infamous guillotines when the pair square off at UFC 302 next month in New Jersey. He regularly attempts to finish opponents with the move, but has yet to do it in a major pay-per-view fight.
Makhachev initially attempted to claim that he respects Poirier’s ability to use the guillotine effectively. But Cormier, who is a teammate of his at AKA, knew that he wasn’t being honest and joked that he was trolling.
“Okay, I don’t respect his guillotine,” Makhachev admitted. “Because I never see him finish someone in guillotine. Maybe one day, but it’s not gonna be me.”
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