Khabib Nurmagomedov Lays Out Plan to Become MMA’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently 27-0 and will look to defend his lightweight at UFC 242 against the interim lightweight champion in Dustin Poirier.

Although Nurmagomedov is undefeated, the Russian is not the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter on either the UFC’s or Sherdog’s rankings. But, he knows exactly how he will become the top pound-for-pound fighter.

“I have to beat Dustin [Poirier], I have to beat Tony Ferguson, and I have to beat GSP [Georges St.Pierre],” Nurmagomedov said at a UFC 242 press conference on Wednesday. “Then I can become pound-for-pound No.1 fighter. This is my opinion.”

He will meet Poirier in Abu Dhabi on Sept. 7. As for Ferguson, he is coming off of a win over Donald Cerrone, which should make him the next top contender. St.Pierre, meanwhile, is currently retired but recent reports have indicated there is a “GSP” clause in the champ’s new contract.

The possibility to fight all three is there, but first Nurmagomedov will have to get past Poirier at UFC 242.