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UFC: Dustin Poirier lays out how former foe Justin Gaethje can ‘shine’ and beat Khabib Nurmagomedov
- ‘The Diamond’, who has a win over Gaethje and loss to Khabib, says Gaethje can ‘out-scramble Khabib in the open’
- Poirier believes his opportunity at a second title fight is ‘more guaranteed’ if Gaethje becomes lightweight champion
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Dustin Poirier says Justin Gaethje has the tools to beat UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov ahead of their heavily rumoured bout later in the year.
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Former interim champion Poirier (26-6, one no contest), who beat Dan Hooker via unanimous decision last week, has faced both fighters in the past.
In 2018, the 31-year-old handed American counterpart Gaethje (22-2) his second pro-career loss via fourth-round TKO before losing a title fight against Russian Khabib (28-0) via third-round rear-naked choke last year.
“If Justin can keep his back off the fence, I believe he can out-scramble Khabib in the open. I think he’s got such a pedigree in collegiate wrestling and the open mat area is gonna be where Justin shines in the wrestling,” said “The Diamond” Poirier, adding that he is still recovering from his fight-of-the-year contender with Hooker.
“If Khabib gets him to the fence, I believe Justin will be in trouble. We’ll see if he sticks to the game plan – I assume that’s his game plan, stick to the middle, make Khabib wrestle in the open, and throw big punches.”
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