UFC 242 combat map, predictions – Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier: experts' choice, odds, location

The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi this Saturday with a card steeped in one of the most intriguing fights possible at the top of the lightweight division. Khabib Nurmagomedov will look to keep his record undefeated and continue to consolidate his legacy as the greatest lightweight ever to face Interim Champion Dustin Poirier.

Nurmagomedov just got a nine-month suspension following his victory over Conor McGregor in October 2018. Nurmagomedov was put on the set for instigating the scrum between the camps after the fight when he jumped the cage to try to bring down a member of McGregor's team.

His opponent is not outdone despite the long chances that are offered to him in most books. Poirier participates in one of the hottest sports series and builds one of the best CVs in the division. The consecutive wins against Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez and Max Holloway are hard to beat. A victory over Nurmagomedov could be the icing on the cake of his way to greatness.

The co-main event is a resumption of the 2015 bout when lightweight Paul Felder, ranked 10th, seeks to avenge his loss against Edson Barboza, ranked 7th. Felder has won four of his last five bouts and is looking to climb into the top five by avenging his defeat in 2015. Barboza, meanwhile, has lost three of four, but remains one of the most dangerous kick boxers of the season. sport, scoring a brutal victory over TKO against Dan Hooker in December 2018.

In addition, Islam Makhachev returns to the Octagon when he faces Davi Ramos. The only non-light fight on the main card sees Curtis Blaydes face Shamil Abdurakhimov in a showdown against the heavyweights. Blaydes seeks to restore his resume with his only professional defeats from Francis Ngannou.

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With another pay-per-view UFC card event, the CBS Sports team made the predictions and chose the main card with the latest ratings from Westgate. Here are your decision makers: Brent Brookhouse (wrestling sports writer), Brian Campbell (wrestling sports writer), Matthew Coca (producer), Jack Crosby (publisher), Michael Mormile (producer) and Brandon Wise (publisher).

UFC 242 forecast, choice

Campbell on why Nurmagomedov will win: Poirier could well be the prototype of the attacker that one could create in a laboratory in the hope of solving the suffocating ground attack of Nurmagomedov. He can make heavy strikes with his four limbs and enters at the height of his physical and mental heights, after an impressive winning streak in four fights. That said, there is a reason why Nurmagomedov's record remains unblemished. If "The Eagle" succeeds in fighting the ground earlier, he can steal the Poirier tank and mitigate the danger of his attack. Until someone finally exposes him, Nurmagomedov makes incredibly difficult the attack against him.

Brookhouse on why Nurmagomedov will win: The rise of Dustin Poirier as interim champion is not a coincidence. He is tough, talented and has the courage of the championship level. But nobody on the planet is at Nurmagomedov's level at the moment. Nurmagomedov can put anyone on the back and is an elite to keep his opponents on the ground and inflict serious damage. It's a crushing and demoralizing style that tends to break men. Poirier does not break easily, but I do not think he (or anyone else in the near future) beats the champion.

Campbell on why Felder will win: Despite entering this fight after winning four of his last five games, including a February win against James Vick, there is no doubt that it's a crucial battle for Felder, 35, to know if his future will be clearer or disputed. . Barboza could have three losses in his last four bouts, but he is the most proven merchandise at this level and has only lost in recent years to the benefit of the very elite. Yet, it's hard to ignore the damage done by Barboza, 33. The more Felder can gather Barboza and stifle his chances of winning dynamic strikes, the more he is able to win a decisive victory.

Why Baboza will win: This fight represents the biggest advance in competition in Felder's career. Granted, being a revenge means that he should know some of the trends that Barboza brings to the table, but many things can change in four years. If Felder is really elite and he wants to rank among the top five in the deepest division of the sport, he has to be light for Barboza. But when I watch his last fights, I do not see him survive the onslaught of kicking legs and the power that Barboza brings to the table. He may not be the elite fighter he was a few years ago, but Barboza can still strike with the best of them and find ways to win a decisive victory.

Who wins Poirier against Nurmagomedov and Felder against Barboza and how does each fight end? Now head over to SportsLine for detailed selections on the 13 fights of the UFC 242, all from an unparalleled expert who has earned more than $ 21,000 in MMA selections over the past year.