Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor (right) (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

After Dustin Poirier took out Conor McGregor at UFC 257 last month, he proclaimed he’s the uncrowned champ, and Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t disagree.

Although Nurmagomedov announced he was retiring back in October, the UFC has yet to strip the lightweight title from the star, since Dana White is hoping the undefeated fighter will compete again. But, since Nurmagomedov has repeatedly said he doesn’t plan to fight again, the expectation is that the UFC will put the title on the line soon.

While talking to RT Sport recently, however, Nurmagomedov had this to say about Poirier’s championship bid (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“Poirier deserves to be champion, that’s my personal opinion. Look at who he’s fought. Jim Miller, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Pettis, Max Holloway. He’s fought me, Conor. These are all top fighters, maybe fighters who will end up in the UFC Hall of Fame. I think intrigue will appear in the lightweight division as soon as they decide the title fight and eliminator.

“At the moment, it’s held up and not clear what Dana’s thinking. I think it’s going to be on fire in the lightweight division this summer. The lightweight division has always been the most competitive, the most interesting, with big stars. It will take new turns this summer. A new, younger, generation is already coming, plus there’s Chandler, Oliviera, Poirier, Gaethje, a lot of good fighters. With that mix, it will be interesting this summer and towards the end of the year.”

In the aforementioned interview, Nurmagomedov also said he does not want to see the lightweight division held up. The Dagestani fighter retired after choking out Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.