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Khabib Nurmagomedov believes it’s time for several UFC lightweights to call it a career.
Nurmagomedov specifically pointed to his former opponent Dustin Poirier, who is coming off a title loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June. Nurmagomedov also has a victory over Poirier, defeating him in the title fight at UFC 242 in September 2019.
Although Nurmagomedov watched Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) put in a solid performance against his protégé Makhachev, “The Eagle” had some tough advice for him and other top contenders in the lightweight division.
“I think Poirier can beat Charles (Oliveira) and I think Poirier has to stop fighting. He’s finished,” Nurmagomedov said on the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast. “Justin Gaethje, Khabib, Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson. That’s old school, bro. Stop fighting. We have to see the real things.”
Poirier teased another fight before hanging up his gloves. UFC CEO Dana White also recently confirmed that the promotion is currently working on his potential retirement fight.
Nurmagomedov’s words should come as no surprise. The former undefeated UFC lightweight champion faded from many people’s minds early on after he made his third title defense against Justin Gaethje in October 2020. Nurmagomedov promised his mother that he would not compete again without his late father by his side. When he retired he was only 32 years old.
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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Khabib Nurmagomedov calls on ‘old school’ UFC lightweights like Dustin Poirier to retire
