Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Khabib Nurmagomedov akan menghadapi Dustin Poirier . Berikut lima hal penting jelang laga tersebut. Khabib bakal berduel lawan Poirier di The Arena, Abu Dhabi, 7 September. Duel tersebut akan jadi duel utama pada UFC 242. Khabib berstatus sebagai juara dunia kelas ringan UFC sedangkan Poirier berstatus sebagai juara dunia interim.
Khabib terakhir kali tampil di UFC saat menaklukkan Conor McGregor pada Oktober 2018 sedangkan Poirier terakhir kali tampil ketika menang angka atas Max Holloway pada April 2019. Berikut lima hal penting jelang laga Khabib vs Poirier:
Dustin Poirier punya rekor KO yang mentereng di UFC. (Logan Riely/Getty Images/AFP)
1. Khabib Nurmagomedov belum terkalahkan dalam kariernya di ajang MMA. Sementara itu, Dustin Poirier sudah menelan lima kekalahan. 2. Khabib Nurmagomedov dan Dustin Poirier sama-sama tidak mau menghadapi Conor McGregor bila mereka menang di laga ini. Pilihan Khabib dan Poirier adalah Tony Ferguson. [Gambas:Video CNN] 3. Khabib dan Poirier sama-sama pernah menghadapi Conor McGregor dalam sejarah pertarungan mereka. Khabib menang atas McGregor lewat kuncian leher sedangkan Poirier kalah TKO lawan McGregor.
4. Poirier mencatat enam kemenangan KO di kelas ringan UFC. Ia hanya kalah dari Melvin Guillard dan Edson Barboza yang membukukan tujuh kemenangan KO.
5. Dustin Poirier baru mendapat sabuk juara dunia di pertarungan ke-22 pada ajang UFC. Poirier hanya kalah dari Michael Bisping yang membutuhkan 26 laga untuk jadi juara UFC. (ptr/nva)
Khabib mengalahkan McGregor di ronde empat UFC 229. (REUTERS/Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports) Khabib mengalahkan McGregor di ronde empat UFC 229. (REUTERS/Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Pihak UFC menjadikan video cuplikan kerusuhan229melawansebagai bahan promosi jelang Khabib menghadapi Dustin Poirier.Pertarungan UFC 242 antaraakan digelar di Pulau Yas Abu Dhabi pada Sabtu (7/9) malam waktu setempat.Dipercaya demi mendongkrak jumlah penonton, UFC justru menjadikan video kerusuhan usai Khabib vs McGregor disebagai promosi.Padahal, insiden tersebut dinilai sebagai preseden terburuk di ajang UFC. Buntut dari kerusuhan itu pun hukuman bagi Khabib dan McGregor oleh Komite Atletik Nevada (NSAC) yang menaungi ajang kompetisi bela diri.Khabib pernah dihukum larangan bertanding selama sembilan bulan per Oktober 2018 dan denda US$500 ribu. Sementara McGregor hanya mendapat sanksi enam bulan dan denda US$50 ribu.Kerusuhan pecah usai Khabib melawan McGregor pada ronde empat di T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, pada 6 Oktober 2018. Setelah mengalahkan McGregor melalui kuncian, Khabib langsung menaiki pagar oktagon dan melompat ke luar untuk menyerang rekan petarung Irlandia tersebut, Dillon Danis.Khabib merasa perlu menghajar Danis karena telah menghina ayah dan agamanya saat pertarungan dengan McGregor berlangsung.Sejumlah video tentang kerusuhan usai UFC 229 itu pun banyak beredar di media sosial. Namun, kualitas dan sudut pandang video-video tersebut pun tak begitu baik karena kebanyakan merupakan hasil rekaman video amatir.Belakangan, UFC merilis video perkelahian tersebut yang dinilai lebih detail dan eksklusif. Bahkan seperti dilansir dari BJPENN ekspresi McGregor dan Khabib terlihat jelas ketika kerusuhan berlangsung.Ekspresi tersebut termasuk ketika Khabib tampak menggila dan langsung diamankan sejumlah petugas keamanan. Video tersebut diyakini berasal dari kamera pihak UFC yang sengaja disimpan dan baru disebarluaskan untuk promosi Khabib vs Poirier."Rekaman ketika Khabib melompat [dari oktagon] ke kerumunan dari angle samping tak pernah ada yang menayangkan sebelumnya. Itu pasti diambil dari salah satu kamera khusus UFC yang merekam pertarungan tersebut," tulis salah satu pengamat MMA dari Reddit, dikutip dari BJPENN Jelang laga Khabib vs Poirier, UFC dikabarkan mulai membuka peluang rematch Khabib vs McGregor. Namun, Khabib masih enggan menerima tawaran tersebut.
Khabib Nurmagomedov dan Dustin Poirier akan bertarung pada UFC 242 di Abu Dhabi untuk menentukan 'Raja Kelas Ringan' UFC yang sesungguhnya. Dua petarung beda gaya akan bertemu dan pertarungan akan berlangsung panas.
Conor McGregor jadi lawan terakhir Khabib Nurmagomedov di UFC. (REUTERS/Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports) Conor McGregor jadi lawan terakhir Khabib Nurmagomedov di UFC. (REUTERS/Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Jadwal pertarunganpadadi Stadion The Arena, Abu Dhabi, akan berlangsung pada Minggu (8/9) dini hari WIB.Hampir satu tahun usai mengalahkan Conor McGregor, Khabib kembali naik oktagon dengan melawan Poirier. Pertarungan di Abu Dhabi merupakan unifikasi gelar juara dunia kelas ringan UFC.Khabib vs Poirier termasuk pertarungan main card yang melibatkan lima pertarungan, termasuk Edson Barboza vs Paul Felder dan Islam Makhachev vs Davi Ramos, Curtis Blaydes vs Shamil Abdurakhimov dan Mairbek Taisumov vs Carlos Diego Ferreira.Jadwal main card yang melibatkan Khabib vs Poirier sebagai pertarungan terakhir akan dimulai pukul 01.00 WIB pada Minggu (8/9) dini hari.Pertarungan melawan Poirier merupakan aksi ke-12 Khabib di ajang UFC. Petarung asal Rusia itu selalu meraih kemenangan di 11 pertarungan sebelumnya di UFC.Jelang pertarungan melawan Poirier, Khabib mengaku tidak pernah merasakan sambutan luar biasa dari penggemar seperti di Abu Dhabi. Kondisi itu membuat petarung 30 tahun itu semakin bersemangat jelang menghadapi Poirier."Ketika saya bertarung dalam 11 pertarungan sebelumnya, saya tidak pernah merasa dukungan segila ini dari fan di arena. Namun saat ini, saya merasakan banyak sekali orang yang mendukung saya. Saya sangat antusias tentang pertarungan ini karena saya ingin merasakan dapat banyak dukungan," ujar Khabib dikutip dari The National.Poirier sendiri menjadi juara dunia kelas ringan UFC interim setelah berhasil mengalahkan Max Holloway pada 13 April 2019.Minggu 8 September 2019 / Mulai pukul 01.00 WIB
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Petarung seni bela diri campuran (MMA) asal Rusia, Khabib Nurmagomedov , menilai petarung Amerika Serikat Dustin Poirier lebih baik dari Conor McGregor asal Irlandia. Khabib melihat Poirier sebagai seorang penantang yang lebih tangguh dari McGregor. Itu sebabnya, Khabib meluangkan banyak waktu dan usaha dalam pemusatan latihan untuk mempersiapkan pertarungan lawan Poirier dalam UFC 242 di Abu Dhabi pada 7 September 2019. "Saya pikir mungkin saat ini Dustin adalah seorang petarung MMA yang lebih lengkap dibandingkan dia [McGregor]. Hal ini karena dia [Poirier] mengalahkan banyak petarung dalam divisi kelas ringan, dan saya tidak ingat kapan Conor memenangkan divisi kelas ringan," ujar Khabib seperti yang dikutip dari MMA Fighting. "Saya pikir dia [McGregor] hanya mengalahkan [Eddie] Alvarez dan dia hanya memiliki satu kemenangan dalam diivisi kelas ringan setelah sekian lama, sangat lama. Itulah alasan saya berpikir Dustin Poirier adalah seorang petarung yang jauh lebih baik dari dia [McGregor]," tuturnya. McGregor kerap terlibat perang urat syaraf dengan Khabib. (Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP) McGregor mengalahkan Alvarez dengan pukulan yang berujung kemenangan TKO dalam UFC 205 di New York pada 12 November 2016. Jelang pertarungan lawan Poirier, Khabib tidak tertarik membicarakan banyak hal tentang McGregor yang ia kalahkan dengan cekikan leher dari belakang dalam UFC 220 di Las Vegas pada 6 Oktober 2018. "Sejujurnya saya tidak mengerti apa yang Anda [media] tanyakan. Orang ini [McGregor], kapan terakhir kali dia menang? Kenapa kita terus membicarakan tentang orang ini?" kata Khabib. "Orang ini [McGregor] tidak berlatih lebih dari tiga tahun dan kita tetap membicarakan orang ini. Saya tidak mau berbicara tentang dia. Kita punya Dustin Poirier dan banyak hal lain. Tolong, ayo berbicara sesuatu yang nyata," ucapnya melanjutkan. Setelah bertarung lawan Poirier, Khabib belum berminat untuk melakoni tarung ulang lawan McGregor. Ia mengatakan lawan berikutnya hanya ada satu pertarung yakni Tony Ferguson dari Amerika. "Tentu saja, saya pikir dia [Ferguson] layak mendapatkan kesempatan. Siapa lagi? Tidak ada. Saya pikir hanya Tony Ferguson," ia menegaskan. [Gambas:Video CNN] (map/jal)
THERE's a buzz around UFC 242 as MMA returns to the desert and the UAE.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and challenger Dustin Poirier are all set for a dust-up as they headline a packed card at the newly-built Arena in Abu Dhabi.
2 Beating Conor McGregor in 2017 made Khabib a household name
For a maximum of 25 minutes work in the Octagon, the 30-year-old champion will collect around £5.2million - a huge jump from the approximate £1.75m he made beating Conor McGregor.
When is UFC 242?
ABU DHABI is all set for fight night at the sparkling new Arena on Yas Island.
The huge event will be held on Saturday, September 7.
Khabib vs Poirier tops the bill on an evening where the lightweight's take centre-stage.
The main card will be a pay-per-view event in the UK, broadcast on BT Sport Box Office from 7pm BST.
It will cost £19.95 to watch the main event - head here to purchase.
2 Khabib will rake in £5.2m on Saturday, triple what he earned for beating McGregor Credit: Getty
How can I watch the Khabib vs Poirier prelims for free?
BEFORE the main card, there's a packed selection of prelims to enjoy from the UAE.
Coverage of these will begin on BT Sport 2 from 5pm BST.
BT customers can watch wherever they are on the BT Sport app or by logging into the website player.
If you are an EE phone subscriber, you can sign up for a three-month FREE trial to BT Sport - simply text SPORT to 150.
This will allow you to watch on your phone, with casting available to your TV though the service.
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UFC 242 full card
Main
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Dustin Poirier (lightweight)
Edson Barboza vs Paul Felder (lightweight)
Islam Makhachev vs Davi Ramos (lighweight)
Curtis Blaydes vs Shamil Abdurakhimov (heavyweight)
Mairbek Taisumov vs Carlos Diego Ferreira (lightweight)
Prelims
Joanne Calderwood vs Andrea Lee (women's flyweight)
Zubaira Tukhugoc vs Lerone Murphy (featherweight)
Liana Jojua vs Sarah Moras (women's bantamweight)
Ottman Azaitar vs Teemu Packalen (lightweight)
Early prelims
Live: UFC 242 ceremonial weigh-in video for ‘Khabib vs Poirier’ in Abu Dhabi
With the UFC 242 early and official weigh ins already in the books (full results here), the promotion will send all 26 fighters back onstage for the ceremonial festivities at 10 a.m. ET in advance of tomorrow night’s pay-per-view (PPV) event on ESPN+ from Abu Dhabi (sign up here). The main event between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier will unify the lightweight titles and you can preview their cold open right here. For the entire UFC 242 fight card and line up click here.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 05: (L-R) UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia and UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier face off during the UFC seasonal press conference at T-Mobile Arena on July 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The UFC is in Abu Dhabi this weekend for UFC 242, an event which features a lightweight title unification bout in the headlining spot.
In the main event, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov returns to action for the first time since he submitted Conor McGregor in the fourth round of their UFC 229 matchup. That bout took place in October 2018. The Nevada State Athletic Commission issued the lightweight titleholder a nine-month suspension following that event, which took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The NSAC suspended Nurmagomedov and fined him $500,000 for leaping over the cage and going after one of McGregor’s cornermen that night. Nurmagomedov faces interim champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 242. Poirier claimed the interim title in April when he defeated featherweight champion Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 236. Poirier won that bout by unanimous decision.
In the co-main event, top-10 ranked lightweight competitors Edson Barboza and Paul Felder run back their 2015 matchup. Barboza won that contest, which claimed “Fight of the Night” honors, via a unanimous decision.
UFC 242 takes place Saturday, September 7 at The Arena at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on FX and UFC Fight Pass.
Before the fighters step into the octagon on Saturday, they will hit the scales. The ceremonial weigh-ins take place Friday. The first fighter is set to hit the scale at 10 a.m. ET.
You can watch the ceremonial weigh-ins as they take place right here:
More on UFC 242:
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can A Rested Don Madge Keep His Stoppage Streak Alive?
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can Muslim Salikhov Answer Two Big Questions?
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can Takashi Sato Keep Moving Up Welterweight Rankings?
UFC 242 Video: Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov Vs. Dustin Poirier Countdown
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can The Debuting Ottman Azaitar Remain Undefeated Against Teemu Packalen?
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can Zubaira Tukhugov Take Advantage Of Favorable Matchmaking In His First Fight In More Than 3 Years?
UFC 242 Video: Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov Set The UFC Takedown Record
UFC 242 Video: Watch Edson Barboza Vs. Paul Felder Countdown
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Are Joanne Calderwood And Andrea Lee Fighting For A Title Shot?
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Is Mairbek Taisumov Headed Toward Retirement?
UFC 242 Video: Watch The Best Finishes Of Dustin Poirier’s Career
UFC 242 Video: Watch The Best Finishes Of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Career
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can Curtis Blaydes Add To His Dominant Wrestling?
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: What’s It Going To Take To Get Islam Makhachev A Ranked Opponent?
UFC Sends The Wrong Message In Using UFC 229 Incident That Disgusted Dana White To Promote UFC 242
UFC 242 Full Fight Video: Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov Submit Michael Johnson
UFC 242 Full Fight Video: Watch Dustin Poirier Knock Out Justin Gaethje
UFC 242 Co-Main Event Preview: Stats, Facts And Numbers For Edson Barboza Vs. Paul Felder 2
While I don’t believe there is much reason to get excited about the preliminary contests, the main card doesn’t feature a single fight that deserves criticism for being on the main card of a PPV. No, none of the contests outside of the main event have a can’t-miss feel to them like Donald Cerrone and Tony Ferguson did a few months back. But if we’re being honest, those types of contests – one that creates a bigger stir than a typical main or co-main event – only comes around every now-and-again, maybe once a year. The fighters in the first three main card contests have a combined 34-9 record in the confines of the UFC, none of them owning more than two losses. I’d be lying if I claimed all those victories came over quality UFC competition, but they’ve all proven they deserve their spots on the card in what should prove to be competitive contests.
Islam Makhachev (17-1) vs. Davi Ramos (10-2), Lightweight
Makhachev’s recent trajectory has been questionable at best as it feels the UFC has been lobbing softballs at him, his most recent contest coming against a debuting Armen Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan proved to be game, but why was Makhachev facing a debuting fighter when he was riding a four-fight win streak? Nonetheless, Makhachev appears to be back on track as Ramos is riding a nice win streak of his own in which his plentiful physical skills have been prominently on display. The only thing missing in Ramos’ streak: quality names, as his quality of opposition has been worse than Makhachev.
Ramos’ talent has never been questioned. Holding grappling titles in both Grapplers Quest and ADCC, Ramos was already considered a top-flight grappler when he made his UFC debut in 2017. He’s utilized those skills to secure three consecutive RNC victories in a row at one point, utilizing his cat-like quickness to get the back. His striking was used too, displaying explosive power in his fists that wasn’t a given to analysts when his MMA career began in earnest. Ramos still has a long way to go if he hopes to become a technically sound boxer – something that would appear to be doubtful – but he’s nonetheless dangerous. One big negative though has been his propensity to look for a highlight reel KO, often forgetting to utilize his world class BJJ chops.
Ramos isn’t the only powerful puncher who has forsaken their strength. Makhachev’s lone loss came when he forgot what he was best at too, resulting in a KO at the hands of Adriano Martins. Khabib’s teammate has since repented of that misdeed, emphasizing his overwhelming wrestling all the way to his current five-fight win streak. That hardly means Makhachev is a boring fighter as he fancies looking for finishes, willing to give up an advantageous position for a potential submission. This led to several entertaining scrambles against Tsarukyan. Is he willing to play that type of game with a grappler like Ramos? Hard to say. His best option could be to bang it out on the feet if he can’t avoid that tendency.
Makhachev represents a BIG step up in competition for Ramos, his best win likely coming against Nick Hein. I’m not saying Ramos can’t compete with the likes of Makhachev. I’m saying a steadier climb might have been a wiser approach with him rather than a series of middling opponents before throwing him in far deeper waters. Ramos appears to be durable enough to convince me he can avoid being finished, though I wouldn’t rule out a late stoppage as Ramos has faded late in contests that have gone the distance. Makhachev via decision
Curtis Blaydes (11-2, 1 NC) vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-4), Heavyweight
If it wasn’t for Francis Ngannou, Blaydes would be all the rage for the future of the heavyweight division. It isn’t just because Ngannou tends to knock silly every single one of his opponents – whereas Blaydes path to victory is more methodical -- but because both of Blaydes’ two career losses came at the hands of the massive Cameroonian. It isn’t like Blaydes has been running roughshod over nobodies either, as Mark Hunt and Alistair Overeem count as two of the former junior college wrestling champion’s victims.
What makes Blaydes so dangerous is his combination of athleticism and wrestling technique. Normally an athlete of his size and caliber is gobbled up by more lucrative sports such as football or basketball. Somehow, Blaydes slipped through the cracks and MMA fans are the benefactors. It took him some time to adjust his style to MMA – see his painful performance against Daniel Omielanczuk – but there hasn’t been an opponent who has been able to stay upright if Blaydes doesn’t want them too since that learning experience. Don’t sell his GnP short either as his combination of punches and elbows made a bloody mess of what used to be Overeem’s face.
Those who remember Abdurakhimov’s UFC debut against Timothy Johnson are probably writing off the 38-year old Russian given Johnson used his mass to ground Abdurakhimov and pound him out. While I’m not saying that outcome is an impossibility, it would be foolish to believe that version of Abdurakhimov is the same one that will be stepping in with Blaydes. His continually improving boxing is highlighted by Abdurakhimov’s impressive footwork and combinations, allowing him to outmaneuver his opponent around the cage while hitting the occasional well-timed takedown. Blaydes’ standup has progressed nicely, but he’s not on the same level of Abdurakhimov.
Even though Abdurakhimov does a much better job of moving around the cage than when he first entered the UFC – giving his opposition minimal opportunities to score takedowns – Blaydes isn’t Timothy Johnson. He’s far more athletic and explosive, which will make it more difficult for Abdurakhimov will have a difficult time avoiding Blaydes’ pressure. Blaydes’ chin isn’t impenetrable as Ngannou has proven, making the idea of Abdurakhimov scoring a KO not nearly as silly as it might have seen just a short time ago. Nonetheless, the first instinct is likely the right one for this contest: expect Blaydes to drag Abdurakhimov to the mat and maul him until the referee steps in to stop the massacre. Blaydes via TKO of RD3.
Mairbek Taisumov (27-5) vs. Diego Ferreira (15-2), Lightweight
It’s plausible the one thing that has been holding back Taisumov from being a household name in the MMA community is his VISA problems as the Chechan has yet to fight in the USA under the UFC banner. It has limited the quality of competition, though that issue hasn’t been able to hide Taisumov’s skillful standup as five of the six wins in his current win streak have come via KO/TKO. Taisumov doesn’t typically push a hard pace, usually jumping in and out of the pocket in hopes of inducing a situation where he can counter. It can result in a slow-paced, dull contest like he had in his most recent showing against Des Green, but that’s only if his opponent doesn’t give him anything to work with.
That shouldn’t be an issue with Ferreira. The wildly aggressive Brazilian was the first person in years to extort an entertaining contest out of Rustam Khabilov, being the first to beat him in several years in the process. Whether it’s coming forward with reckless punches, leaping in for a takedown attempt, or fishing for a submission on the ground, Ferreira tends to go full bore. His wrestling leaves a lot to be desired, but he’s dangerous on the mat if he can succeed in forcing the fight to the mat. Due to his inability to do so on his terms, most of his fights have turned into a slugfest where he’s been able to get away with his lack of technique thanks to his power, athleticism, and overwhelming aggression.
Though Ferreira has faced far better competition than Taisumov, that competition has also exposed some of his issues that Taisumov’s haven’t revealed about him yet. While Ferreira has been able to style on some good athletes in Khabilov and Olivier Aubin-Mercier, both of them are also tentative strikers. Taisumov may be patient, but he isn’t tentative. He doesn’t need to be told twice to attack when given the opportunity. It’s plausible Ferreira could overwhelm Taisumov if the fight hits the mat – he did that to Khabilov -- but Taisumov has been able to stifle better wrestlers than Ferreira. Ferreira is fairly durable, but I still see the likelihood of Taisumov finding a way to finish him off being pretty high. Taisumov via TKO of RD1
