Russian UFC lightweight ruler Khabib Nurmagomedov donned his famous papakha headgear before vowing that he was “ready for a five-round war” against interim champ Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi, RT reports.
Nurmagomedov and Poirier both made weight on Friday morning, the Dagestani fighter in particular dispelling suggestions in some quarters that he would struggle to hit the 155lbs lightweight limit.
And when he appeared at the ceremonial weigh-in later on Friday in Abu Dhabi, the already re-invigorated-looking Nurmagomedov stepped onto the scales for the fans before donning the famous papakha he has become synonymous with to stare down Poirier.
The fight will be Nurmagomedov’s first since his dominant victory over Conor McGregor in Las Vegas 11 months ago, when he extended his professional record to 27-0 but was handed a suspension and fine for the mass melee he sparked after the bout.
