UFC light-weight king Khabib Nurmagomedov was compelled to strip bare to make weight however hit the 155lbs mark together with interim champion Dustin Poirier because the pair’s showdown in Abu Dhabi on Saturday evening grew to become official.
Nurmagomedov emerged early for a take a look at weigh-in on the fighters’ resort in Abu Dhabi on Friday morning earlier than returning to tip the scales at formally bang on the 155lbs restrict, albeit after stripping off his underwear and standing behind a UFC-branded hoop.
‘Respect for him stops after I enter the octagon’: Khabib targeted on Poirier forward of UFC 242
There had been fears that the unbeaten Russian was struggling to make weight after he missed the official media day on Thursday. Again in 2017 his bout with Tony Ferguson was cancelled after Nurmagomedov was hospitalized reportedly attributable to extreme weight-cut points.
On Friday, the Dagestani fighter appeared anxious as he awaited the end result on the scales throughout his take a look at weigh-in, however was extra relaxed as he returned for the official studying, flexing his muscle tissue afterwards and pointing his fingers to the sky.
The Eagle @TeamKhabib lands at 155 kilos to make it official ? #UFC242 pic.twitter.com/U9OdCBVQ9p
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 6, 2019
Former UFC title contender Chael Sonnen had been amongst these to voice fears that Khabib would wrestle with making weight for the bout, given his previous woes and the 11-month hole since his final combat in opposition to Conor McGregor.
Within the occasion Nurmagomedov – who stands at 27-Zero in professional MMA – allayed any such issues and may now deal with rehydrating.
Interim champion Poirier – who owns a 25-5 report – emerged after Nurmagomedov and likewise tipped the scales at useless on championship weight.
This Diamond's weight is 155 kilos ? @DustinPoirier #UFC242 pic.twitter.com/ld7YmnOfAG
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 6, 2019
The pair will participate within the ceremonial weigh-ins in entrance of followers afterward Friday earlier than subsequent assembly within the Octagon for his or her title unifier on the purpose-built enviornment on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.
Elsewhere on the cardboard, the one fighter to overlook weight was Canada’s Sarah Moras, who was 2lbs over the bantamweight restrict for her bout in opposition to Georgia’s Liana Jojua. The combat will nonetheless go forward, though Moras has been fined 20 p.c of her purse.
