Even with the record, the reputation and the undoubted repertoire, Khabib Nurmagomedov feels he has a point to prove.
"Of course," the undefeated lightweight champion says, not long before this weekend’s long-awaited unification bout with interim title-holder Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.
"I’m not like a fake champion who never defends his title. I defended one time already – this is my second. And in my division, interim champion, I don’t like this, even if they deserve it.
"I want to be undefeated, undisputed. No more interim. I want to take this. Because in the jungle there’s only one king. That’s why I have to kill this problem."
Nurmagomedov has seen off most problems encountered thus far in an already glittering professional career. Never beaten, his unblemished CV stands at an unparalleled 27-0, his most recent victory being that must-see matchup with Conor McGregor last October, when Nurmagomedov won by submission in the fourth round. Billed as the biggest fight in UFC history, it ended in acrimony, with Nurmagomedov suspended for nine months and heavily fined following a post-bout brawl.
On Saturday, the Dagestan native returns to the octagon as UFC makes its return to Abu Dhabi for the first time in five years. Staged at the purpose-built The Arena on Yas Island, Nurmagomedov defends not only that lightweight belt for a second time, but also his standing as arguably the main draw in MMA today.
He is favourite against Poirier, and sure to have “home” support at the sold-out venue, too. Nurmagomedov will draw on that, no doubt, backed by most of the 13,000-plus who snapped up tickets in record time.
As if Poirier didn’t have enough to overcome already.
"Honestly, when I fight, all my 11 fights in UFC, I never feel a crazy support from fans inside the arena," Nurmagomedov tells The National. "But right now I feel like a lot of people are going to support me. And I'm very excited about this. Because I want to feel to it, how I'm going to feel when everybody supports me.
“I think almost 90 per cent inside the arena, because there'll be a lot of my friends from Russia, from Dagestan, fans from here in the Emirates, Arabic countries, Middle East, and I’m very excited about this.
“I don’t know about my opponent, what he’s going to feel. But Dustin has big experience, has a lot of fights in UFC. He knows that when the cage closes, it doesn’t work: it’s you and your opponent, one-on-one. Fans can't help.
“This is how I think. I don’t know how he’s going to think, and how he feels this pressure. I’m focused on myself.”
It helps that, for the first time during his march through UFC, Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap, will be in his corner. He is more than simply a concerned parent, serving as a long-time coach and regular sounding board alongside the experienced Javier Mendez.
“When father is with me I feel like I am a lion, I can’t break,” Nurmagomedov says. “To have him and Javier is a great mix.”
Abu Dhabi adds to the alchemy.
“I must say it’s been an honour for me to fight here, in front of my father, in front of my big fan base, my really loyal fans,” Nurmagomedov says. “Because this part of the world, this is different: Dagestan, Russia, Arabic countries – this is my part. When I come to the US, I feel this too, but here is much different.
“I love this place, I feel the energy. These people come to watch the fight because of me, not Dustin Poirier. It’s going to be my night, inshallah.”
Clearly, however, Poirier will have other ideas. The American, also 30, has climbed steadily through the ranks in a career dating back 31 pro fights. He is unbeaten in his past six bouts, along the way dispatching elite-level opposition in Anthony Pettis and Eddie Alvarez. In April, Poirier defeated Max Holloway on decision to claim the interim belt.
Khabib, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since October, when his success against McGregor was marred by events after the fight and his subsequent suspension.
In that regard, at least, Poirier has an edge. It is one of the reasons why Nurmagomedov does not treat his rival lightly.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov's six best fights
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UFC 160 (May 2013) – Following his commanding stoppage of Thiago Tavares, Nurmagomedov took on another guy on the up in Abel Trujillo. The Brazilian was expected to offer a stern examination of his opponent’s fabled skills, but could muster barely anything: in the 15 minutes, Nurmagomedov threw around the octagon the heavier Trujillo, completing a barely believable 21 takedowns from 27 attempts. With the decision win, he set a UFC record for takedowns in a single match and secured his position as the promotion’s undisputed best wrestler. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images -
UFC 165 (September 2013) – Undoubtedly Nurmagomedov’s toughest test until that point, the Russian was up against robust veteran Pat Healy, who was coming off a huge victory and on a seven-fight win streak. However, the American could barely withstand Nurmagomedov’s aggression or talent on the mat. He outpaced Healy – a rarity at the time – and outclassed him, earning a decision victory and moving to 5-0 in the UFC. He had come through in fine fashion. Commanding and conclusive, Nurmagomedov had given his first signature triumph. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images -
UFC Fox 11 (April 2014) – After a contract dispute between top contender Gilbert Melendez and the UFC put pay to a much-anticipated clash, Nurmagomedov took on instead fast-rising star Rafael Dos Anjos (RDA) – another significantly daunting opponent. Yet he paid no attention to pre-fight predictions, mauling RDA comprehensively. Nurmagomedov ragdolled a future UFC lightweight champion who had never before let that happen. It was 15 minutes of total domination. Despite the points defeat, RDA went on to capture the belt, but many viewed Nurmagomedov as the division’s de-facto champion. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images -
UFC 205 (November 2016) – Having returned earlier that year following two years of injury and inaction, Nurmagomedov had been expected to fight champion Eddie Alvarez. Much to his annoyance, though, the UFC handed that bout to Conor McGregor. Remaining on the card, Nurmagomedov met the in-from Michael Johnson and, having survived an early onslaught, mauled the American to claim the submission win. Between rounds - sometimes between shots - Nurmagomedov screamed at UFC president Dana White to give him a title shot. “Give me your son,” he declared. “I want McGregor.” Zuffa LLC via Getty Images -
UFC 219 (December 2017) – With his title match against Tony Ferguson scuppered by a bad weight cut, Nurmagomedov returned after another lengthy lay-off – 13 months – to meet the dangerous Edson Barboza. True to form, Nurmagomedov dominated his rival on the ground, punishing the Brazilian with punches and elbows so vicious that at the end of Round 1 Barboza struggled to stand. The huge blows continued, with Nurmagomedov taking the victory convincingly on points. Many proclaimed it Nurmagomedov’s best performance in UFC. He landed the lightweight title in his next bout. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images -
UFC 229 (October 2018) – The highly anticipated scrap with Conor McGregor was fuelled by an altercation ahead of UFC 223, when the Irishman attacked a bus containing various members of Nurmagomedov’s team. Months later, the two rivals met in Las Vegas, where Nurmagomedov made the first defence of his belt, dominating McGregor before sealing a fourth-round submission. After the contest, Nurmagomedov scaled the octagon to attack McGregor’s corner, resulting in a mass brawl. He was later fined $500,000 and banned for nine months. Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images -
UFC 242 (September 2019) – Abu Dhabi marked the setting for Nurmagomedov’s return from suspension, with the fighter’s father Abdulmanap able to corner his son for the first time in his career. At a packed The Arena on Yas Island, the champion saw off interim champion Dustin Poirier by third-round submission, even escaping what at the time seemed a tight guillotine choke from the American. The venue erupted, and Nurmagomedov reciprocated, saying later: “I love these people; these people love me. I want to come back here, maybe next year. Why not?” He held true to his promise. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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"UFC asked him for every single fight and he took them, he became the UFC lightweight interim champ," he says. "He beat a lot of good guys, like Pettis, Alvarez, Holloway; all champions, calibre fighters. He deserves this fight.
"Right now, I think it’s going to be my toughest challenge. But I always think like this. I don’t want to make a mistake and underestimate this guy. I want to fight the best guys in the world and that’s why I’m here.
"It’s going to be a very good fight for me. I’m coming back after a big win, after the biggest in UFC history. People want to watch how I’m going to feel against Dustin Poirier. And people want to watch how Dustin Poirier is going to feel against me. It’s one of the biggest fights in UFC this year."
No matter what transpires Saturday, Nurmagomedov highlights what should be a memorable start to a new era for the UFC in the Emirates and Middle East. In April, the promotion announced a five-year agreement with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. Major fights have been promised. First up, Nurmagomedov is intent on delivering.
"It’s going to be a very big deal for UFC too," he says. "They come here, they made an excellent contract for next five years. When they made the contract, Abu Dhabi said 'Khabib has to fight here', and the UFC talked to me and I said 'Yes, I want to fight there.' They really wanted to see me fight in main event. That’s why it was a big honour for me."
Get the victory, defend his crown for a second time, and maybe he could headline again. Patently, legacy is important. Yet Nurmagomedov's horizons extend beyond the Emirates.
"Why not [come back]?" he says. "But first of all we have to finish this fight. Let’s focus on this fight and we’ll see what happens in future. But if I fight in Abu Dhabi, why not next time I can fight in Africa, or Russia?
"It’s going to be big if I fight in Africa next time, maybe in [DR] Congo – Zaire – like Muhammad Ali did before. Why not? UFC has never made a big show in Africa, and I think I have a big fan base in Africa too.
"For legacy, I’m going to fight Africa, Russia, Australia next – if I fight these places it’s going to be good for me. We’ll see."
For now, though, Abu Dhabi forms his sole focus. Without question, there is pressure, as Nurmagomedov prepares to risk it all, the record and the reputation. But it drives him as well.
"If I say I don’t feel pressure it’s not true," he says. "I feel great energy and at the same time I feel a little bit pressure. Like always, when I go to the cage, I have to win."
