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LONDON – He may be the underdog who is preparing for his fight for the unification of the UFC title with Khabib Nurmagomedov, but Dustin Poirier said he was heading to their UFC 242 butte, armed with the qualities of a champion of the world.
Poirier (25-5 MMA, 17-4 UFC) challenges Nurmagomedov (27-0 MMA, 11-0 UFC) while he seeks to improve his interim lightweight title for the unified and undisputed crown of Abu Dhabi on 7 September.
And while he admits that Nurmagomedov presents a test as challenging as the one he faces in his career, the Louisiana native claims to have gained a lot of key attributes during his roller coaster career in the WEC and the UFC.
When asked what made him the man of success where 27 others failed and he confided to The Eagle his first defeat in career, Poirier did not hesitate.
"Experience, trust in me, my state of mind. I'm focusing on history, and that's all I'm interested in, "he told MMA Junkie at the UFC 242 press conference.
"That's what the next 11 weeks of my life will do: get ready for 25 minutes, do whatever I need to do to raise my hand."
Poirier did not try to denigrate Nurmagomedov's record, nor his skills. Instead, he paid tribute to the defending champion, but promised to drag the Russian star into situations he had not known so far in his career.
"I do not need to find huge holes (in his game) – the guy is good, you know?" He said. "I can not stay here and say anything wrong with this guy, he's good. This is a world champion.
"But I'm going to move things there and get him to places he's never been to. So, that's all.
And Poirier says the lessons he has learned in his mixed martial arts career, which includes 30 fights, will be very useful for him when he faces the undefeated Russian on 7 September.
"I learned that I could count on myself, that I could trust myself," he said. "Adversity comes to a man, and I went through that, man.
"So, I know well, and I'm ready to rock."
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