A distinct form of champ than Conor? Khabib simply getting began

On April 7, 2018, the night time he turned UFC light-weight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov supplied a transparent message that the shenanigans that had plagued the 155-pound division for almost two years have been over.

“I advised you guys I am gonna change this sport,” Nurmagomedov mentioned after beating Al Iaquinta to win the vacant belt. “Now there is just one champion. No extra faux champions. No extra champion who by no means defends his title. Now UFC has a champion, and this champion needs to defend.”

UFC 242 incorporates a champion vs. champion conflict, with interim light-weight champ Dustin Poirier taking up world light-weight titleholder Khabib Nurmagomedov in the principle occasion. Poirier snapped Max Holloway’s 13-fight win streak to earn the interim crown. Now he goals to dethrone Nurmagomedov, who’s 27-Zero.

UFC 242: Khabib vs. Poirier
• Saturday, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Early prelims: ESPN+, 10:15 a.m. ET
• Prelims: ESPN+, 12:00 p.m. ET
• Principal card: ESPN+ PPV, 2 p.m. ET

Order UFC 242 now

Nurmagomedov’s remarks have been an apparent shot at Conor McGregor, the person who had held the belt earlier than him. As fascinating as McGregor’s rise towards turning into a two-weight champion in 2016 had been, his precise reign over the 145- and 155-pound divisions was undeniably stagnant.

McGregor held the UFC’s featherweight championship for 350 days and did not defend it as soon as. He held the light-weight title for 511 days, additionally and not using a single protection. These intervals of time rank fourth and second, respectively, among the many longest UFC title reigns and not using a protection. The opposite two fighters on that record did not defend their belts due to harm. McGregor was wholesome.

What Nurmagomedov (27-Zero) was actually promising again in 2018 was a brand new period at light-weight. Deserving contenders would now not have to fret about by no means getting a shot on the title, as they’d when McGregor sat on it whereas he was chasing larger challengers and paydays. There would by no means once more be the necessity for some “faux” interim champion. Nurmagomedov was pledging to remain busy sufficient to maintain the division shifting.

Now, 17 months since Nurmagomedov claimed the light-weight championship, it could be tough to argue he has lived as much as his promise.

Khabib Nurmagomedov was on prime of the world after capturing the UFC light-weight championship in April 2018. Ed Mulholland/Getty Photographs

He has recorded only one title protection, in opposition to McGregor in October. Instantly after that struggle at UFC 229 — which, symbolically, form of felt like the actual finish of the McGregor period — Nurmagomedov leapt out of the cage to confront the Irishman’s nook. That resulted in a nine-month suspension and, paradoxically sufficient, the creation of an interim light-weight title earlier this 12 months.

On Saturday, Nurmagomedov will try and unify the 155-pound title as soon as once more, when he faces interim champ Dustin Poirier (25-5) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. UFC 242 is constructed round Nurmagomedov, who’s a religious Muslim and very talked-about within the Center East. Though he doesn’t remorse the actions that led to his suspension — the truth is, he says he would struggle McGregor on sight, on the road, to today — he does appear wanting to get again to work. To make good on what he as soon as promised.

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“All the time, I need to struggle,” Nurmagomedov advised ESPN. “I’ve belt; I have to defend. In fact, in future I’m going to complete [my career], however proper now I’m nonetheless hungry. I need to compete.”

The mere undeniable fact that Nurmagomedov is dealing with Poirier this weekend is an indication the division could be getting again on observe. Poirier received the interim title in April by defeating featherweight champ Max Holloway. Had Holloway received, a champion vs. champion bout with Nurmagomedov would have been a blockbuster occasion — a lot larger than this struggle in opposition to Poirier. As soon as Poirier received, nevertheless, Nurmagomedov made no try to hunt out a challenger with a much bigger identify. McGregor, against this, by no means confirmed curiosity in dealing with Tony Ferguson whereas he was champion, though Ferguson received an interim title.

None of that is to counsel McGregor actively ducked his duties as a champion. The strikes he made whereas on the prime have been comprehensible. After successful the 145-pound crown, he instantly needed to maneuver up in weight and maintain two titles concurrently, one thing that had by no means been achieved. And when he completed that, he primarily willed a once-in-a-lifetime alternative — a profitable boxing match in opposition to Floyd Mayweather — to actuality. However the affect these selections had on two divisions was nonetheless a unfavourable one.

After efficiently defending his belt in opposition to Conor McGregor final October, Khabib Nurmagomedov returned dwelling to Makhachkala, Dagestan, to a hero’s welcome. Vasily Maximov/AFP/Getty Photographs

Nurmagomedov setting his sights on Poirier — even whereas coming off what was the most important struggle in UFC historical past, in opposition to McGregor — is refreshing. However to him it is merely the pure development of being a champion.

“Actually, he stunned me when he received,” Nurmagomedov mentioned of Poirier. “I believe Max Holloway goes to beat him, however he present good abilities, good coronary heart. … I believe proper now Dustin Poirier, he’s interim champion, very robust opponent. I’ve to beat him.

“And after this struggle, I’ve to struggle with Tony Ferguson. I’ve to beat him. Make my legacy go greater with each struggle.”

Each transfer Nurmagomedov makes between now and the tip of his profession can be made with that one factor in thoughts: legacy.

It is why he not solely accepted a struggle in opposition to Poirier — the division’s apparent No. 1 contender — he needs the struggle. And it is why he is so keen to place Ferguson’s identify on the market as subsequent in line. Ferguson is on a 12-fight win streak however has struggled to seize mainstream consideration for it. He is the form of opponent a fighter would possibly need to duck. Nurmagomedov, nevertheless, believes a struggle between himself and Ferguson is the “most essential” matchup the UFC may make in any division.

“He needs to be the best of all time, and personally I really feel with two or three extra title defenses, he’ll,” mentioned Javier Mendez, Nurmagomedov’s coach. “100%, he feels an obligation to the title. That is why he would not refuse challengers. The one time he will not struggle is [during the annual Muslim fasting period] Ramadan. That is it. Aside from that, [if] he is wholesome, he is saying, ‘Let’s go.’ He would not need to decide fights.”

Legacy components into even Nurmagomedov’s selections on sponsorship offers. In contrast to McGregor, who not solely pocketed loads of sponsorship cash however went as far as to begin his personal whiskey firm, Nurmagomedov has turned down a number of profitable partnerships up to now 12 months, in line with his supervisor, Ali Abdelaziz, solely as a result of he felt they’d demand an excessive amount of of his time.

“He is very choosy about sponsors as a result of most sponsors require appearances and time,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “We have picked the fitting sponsors for him, sure ones that perhaps do not have as many necessities. Khabib does plenty of journey. If he begins touring for sponsors, too, he will not have time to coach. It isn’t in regards to the cash for him. He has to coach.”

Connected to the legacy Nurmagomedov is attempting to depart behind is one factor he says he may do with out: fame. Regardless of his outspoken intentions to maintain to himself, he has reached almost 16 million followers on Instagram. In a current interview with a Russian outlet, his father mentioned he’s approached each day of their Dagestani village by small crowds of individuals asking for monetary assist.

One cause Nurmagomedov educated for this upcoming struggle at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California, was to get away from the fixed consideration he receives in his dwelling nation. And even in San Jose, followers and autograph seekers commonly line up outdoors the gymnasium to see him. In accordance with Mendez, one group lately shattered a glass door main into the gymnasium after they came upon Nurmagomedov would not be there the day they visited.

Even with extra profitable choices on the market, Khabib Nurmagomedov insisted on combating the No. 1 contender, Dustin Poirier. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photographs

“Extra folks present up right here in search of Khabib than another fighter we have ever had right here,” Mendez mentioned. “That features Cain Velasquez, ‘DC’ [Daniel Cormier], Luke Rockhold. They arrive from everywhere in the world and simply stand on the market, ready for him. They’re right here each day.”

Nurmagomedov has witnessed fame and cash derail different champions, together with his predecessor at light-weight. Why would possibly Khabib be resistant to an analogous destiny? The reply maybe is contained in that promise he made in April 2018.

Regardless of his undefeated report, UFC title and the actual fact he is coming off the most important struggle in MMA historical past, there’s nonetheless work forward for Nurmagomedov. If all goes properly, he want to struggle 3 times within the subsequent eight months. He acknowledges that sometime he can be “free” of the pains of coaching he has recognized since he was a toddler — however not earlier than his legacy is full.

“I am nonetheless hungry, nonetheless centered,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “I actually need to compete with the perfect fighters on this planet. That is why I come to UFC. That is why I signal with UFC. That is why I prepare all my life.”