03:39UAE: 'I just let myself down' - Teary-eyed Poirier after loss to Khabib
Ultimate Championship Fighting (UFC) fighter Dustin Poirier was visibly emotional while speaking to the press in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Sunday morning, hours after being defeated by UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Poirier recalled why he made certain moves over others, and explained why he had issues overcoming Khabib, saying "I know I sound like I have a lot of excuses, but I was just so prepared for tonight, you know, this one really hurts."
"I wanted to leave tonight the world champ, and I just let myself down man," he added.
Nurmagomedov then took to the stage, where he praised Poirier as "one of the best in the world," and added that "it was a great match."
The Lightweight Champ then said "even if you are 28-0, 12-0 in UFC, you are one of the biggest stars, you smash everybody, people are going to talk about 'you have to fight with him, you have to fight with him, you have to fight with him,' give me just respect. Put me on number one pound-for-pound fight next week, because I think I deserve this, because I dominate, you know, with all of my opponents, I am undefeated."
Nurmagomedov continued his undefeated MMA streak by defeating Poirier, and his record now stands at 28 wins with zero loses.
03:39no access social media
Ultimate Championship Fighting (UFC) fighter Dustin Poirier was visibly emotional while speaking to the press in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Sunday morning, hours after being defeated by UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Poirier recalled why he made certain moves over others, and explained why he had issues overcoming Khabib, saying "I know I sound like I have a lot of excuses, but I was just so prepared for tonight, you know, this one really hurts."
"I wanted to leave tonight the world champ, and I just let myself down man," he added.
Nurmagomedov then took to the stage, where he praised Poirier as "one of the best in the world," and added that "it was a great match."
The Lightweight Champ then said "even if you are 28-0, 12-0 in UFC, you are one of the biggest stars, you smash everybody, people are going to talk about 'you have to fight with him, you have to fight with him, you have to fight with him,' give me just respect. Put me on number one pound-for-pound fight next week, because I think I deserve this, because I dominate, you know, with all of my opponents, I am undefeated."
Nurmagomedov continued his undefeated MMA streak by defeating Poirier, and his record now stands at 28 wins with zero loses.