Dustin Poirier names Khabib strongest opponent he ever faced

Dustin Poirier says Khabib Nurmagomedov is the strongest opponent he faced in his UFC career.

The retired lightweight contender told Teddy Atlas on "The Fight with Teddy Atlas" podcast that Nurmagomedov felt impossibly heavy during their 2019 title fight, though Poirier remains unsure whether it was raw power or elite grappling technique that made the Russian so difficult to move. "He was the strongest guy I've ever felt," Poirier said, per Sherdog. "And I'm not sure if it was actual brute strength or it was a mixture of strength and technique that just made him feel like he weighed a 1000 pounds."

Poirier's moments against Nurmagomedov at UFC 242

Poirier challenged Nurmagomedov for the undisputed lightweight belt at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. The American landed a clean shot in the second round and locked in a guillotine choke in the third that looked close to finishing the undefeated champion. Nurmagomedov escaped and finished Poirier with a rear-naked choke moments later to retain his title.

Nurmagomedov defended the belt once more against Justin Gaethje before retiring undefeated at 29-0 in 2020. Poirier made two more runs at lightweight gold, falling short against Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev, before retiring last year after his loss to Max Holloway.

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — Dustin Poirier details the strongest fighter he faced during UFC career