The fight between lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champion Dustin Poirier is finally official for UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on September 7.
UFC President Dana White announced on SportsCenter early Tuesday morning that the bout between lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champion Dustin Poirier has officially been signed for UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on September 7.
The announcement comes after months of reports that the card in Abu Dhabi was targeted for Nurmagomedov’s return. The event is the first of several annual cards that are scheduled to be held in the Middle East with a championship fight being assured for each card. The event is the third to be held in Abu Dhabi, the first being UFC 112 in 2010 and the other being a Fight Night in 2014.
There has been no word as to why it took so long for the fight to be officially signed, however, there is heavy speculation that it was on the part of Khabib Nurmagomedov, as Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Zubaira Tukhogov recently had their suspensions for the brawl at UFC 229 reduced by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will be making his return following the biggest event in the promotion’s history where he submitted Conor Mcgregor in the fourth round at UFC 229 last year. Undefeated at 27-0, he has wins over Edson Barboza, Al Iaquinta, and Rafael dos Anjos.
Dustin Poirier became interim champion after besting featherweight kingpin Max Holloway this past April in a five-round effort. A veteran of the Octagon since 2011, Poirier is currently on a four fight win-streak the includes victories over Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje, and Anthony Pettis.
Tickets for UFC 242 are set to go on sale on June 7, this Friday. Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier is the fifth bout attached to the venue-less card. The rest are as follows:
- Belal Muhammad vs. Takashi Sato
- Khalid Taha vs. Bruno Silva
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov
- Teemu Packalen vs. Ottman Azaitar
