From one UFC champion to another, Robert Whittaker has high praise for Khabib Nurmagomedov. And he doesn’t see anyone taking out the undefeated “Eagle” anytime soon.
Speaking on his “Grange TV” podcast, UFC middleweight champ Whittaker commended lightweight champ Nurmagomedov for his third-round finish of Dustin Poirier last weekend at UFC 242.
“I don’t see Khabib losing anytime soon,” Whittaker said. “I just can’t. He put work on Dustin (Poirier). Dustin is a great fighter. And, you know, every opponent that goes in there to fight Khabib knows what Khabib is going to do. They know. So I’m sure Dustin worked wrestling defense rigorously, like the entire camp.”
Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) faced little adversity in his last fight with Poirier, getting locked into a guillotine that he managed to escape and got caught with a patented Poirier overhand right on the chin but was able to back up from any solid follow-up shots. Still, Nurmagomedov was relentless with his takedowns and grappling, all the way until the finish.
Consider “The Reaper” impressed.
“Khabib is something else,” Whittaker said. “His cardio, his subtle technique, his arm endurance, his stamina, and what blew me out of the water was his chin. He copped one of Dustin’s textbook left hands on the button of his chin.”
