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Khabib Nurmagomedov: Poirier vs. McGregor Must Be at 155 for Winner to Get Title Shot



The UFC is targeting a showdown between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor for Jan. 23, though there is much to be decided before the bout is finalized.

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That includes the weight at which the fight will be contested. When Poirier and McGregor first met at UFC 178 in 2014, the matchup took place at featherweight. Both men have since moved up to 155 pounds, but McGregor has also taken multiple bouts at welterweight, including his last Octagon appearance — a 40-second TKO of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.

However, Khabib Nurmagomedov says if either Poirier or McGregor wants their matchup to yield a No. 1 contender at 155 pounds, then they must fight at that weight.

“I still feel this but you have to fight at 155,” Nurmagomedov told TSN. “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.”

McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh, recently hinted that the bout would take place at 170 pounds in a post on Twitter.

Watching [Conor McGregor] do MMA rounds lately has been a real joy and education,” Kavanagh wrote. “Fluidity of movement with elite level timing and skill. Dustin has improved so much since first meeting, Conor has improved much more imo. To see them hydrated & healthy at 170 will be fascinating.”

Nurmagomedov, who defeated Poirier via third-round submission at UFC 242, criticized “The Diamond” for potentially allowing McGregor and his team to dictate the terms of their bout.

“I don’t understand why Dustin show his weakness,” 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. This is just my opinion. We’ll see. We’ll see.”

Nurmagomedov will defend his lightweight belt against interim king Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner on Saturday. The main card airs on pay-per-view via ESPN+ beginning at 2 p.m. ET/noon PT.

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