Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier will always remain infamous for the guillotine choke. The submission technique almost cost Nurmagomedov his undefeated status. Years later, Islam Makhachev claimed โThe Eagleโ deliberately gave his neck to Poirier during the fight. While many fans have questioned this theory, coach Javier Mendez thinks otherwise.
During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Mendez was asked about that particular incident. While responding, the veteran coach revealed that Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev practiced that move for the fight. As such, the coach confirmed what Makhachev had revealed earlier.
Khabib and Islam practiced that in the backroom before that happened. People don’t understand that Khabib gave Dustin that. He purposely gave it to him, so he can tire him out.ย
Javier Mendez via Submission Radioย
The UFC lightweight champion revealed that the โEagleโ told him about the move ahead of the bout. Moreover, Khabib once stated that he would not have tapped out in front of his father. Khabibโs father cornered him during the UFC 242 title defense. Furthermore, Makhachev himself doesnโt think highly of Poirierโs ground game. The Dagestani even went viral for making fun of Poirierโs Jiu-Jitsu black belt.ย
Makhachev and Poirier are scheduled to fight each other at UFC 302. Ahead of the clash, Nurmagomedov has trained Makhachev as the lightweight champion did not go to AKA for the camp. Fans have expected to see the Hall of Famer back at Makhachevโs corner at the event. As such, it remains to be seen if Khabib corners his protege against a familiar opponent.
Dustin Poirier remembers almost submitting Khabib Nurmagomedov to become the lightweight championย
Dustin Poirier fought Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242, where Poirier was the underdog. Poirier hooked a nasty guillotine on the defending champion during the fight and almost submitted him. However, the Dagestani managed to pop his head up from the choke.ย
Dustin Poirier and Khabib Nurmagomedov before their fight (Image Courtesy โ The Mirror)While talking about the incident with Joe Rogan, Poirier revealed what he thought about remembering the moment. The fighter claimed that he felt Nurmagomedov losing his calm in that choke.
Dude, it was so close. The Khabib fight was close. I shouldโve wrapped. I shouldโve went full guard. And I felt him panicking.
Dustin Poirier via JRE MMA Show #102
Khabib: “Dustin is creazy that he thought I would tap in front of my father”: ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/7AUZJ6XGqg
โ ๐4๐1# ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (@islammakhachev0) August 15, 2022
It was the first time Khabib Nurmagomedovโs father was present outside the octagon to see his son live. Poirier has an affinity for trying guillotine chokes. It has never succeeded and it didnโt succeed against the Dagestani fighter. Poirier has teased about using the guillotine against Khabibโs protege โ Islam Makhachev. It remains to be seen whether Poirier successfully completes the mission.
!
