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13 Apr, 2019 12:58

Winner faces Khabib: Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier set to duel at UFC 236

Winner faces Khabib: Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier set to duel at UFC 236

There is more than just the UFC's interim lightweight title on the line in the UFC 236 headliner between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier on Saturday, as the winner will jump to the top of the queue to face Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Russia's Nurmagomedov hasn't competed inside the Octagon since October of last year when he earned a fourth-round submission win against Conor McGregor to write a defining chapter in one of the sport's most serious rivalries in recent times.

But with the Russian champion not set to return to action in Abu Dhabi in September, the UFC have placed in-form fighters Poirier and Holloway on a collision course with one another. 

Also on rt.com Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals UFC 'working on Abu Dhabi in September' for Russian's next fight (VIDEO)

The winner at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, will be the presumptive next challenger for Nurmagomedov once he returns to action after completing a suspension for his involvement in that infamous post-fight melee with McGregor several months ago. 

UFC boss Dana White himself confirmed as much ahead of Saturday's hostilities in Atlanta, telling TMZ Sports that the winner of Holloway-Poirier would meet the undefeated Dagestani fighter. 

A REMATCH UNDER DIFFERENT TERMS

Holloway and Poirier have met once before inside the UFC Octagon, though it is clear that both have improved immeasurably since they first locked horns in February 2012. On that occasion Poirier was the victor, submitting Holloway in the Hawaiian's fifth professional fight via first-round triangle armbar. 

Since that fight - which was Holloway's UFC debut - 'Blessed' has emerged as one of the finest fighters in featherweight history, unbeaten in 13 fights at 145lbs since a decision loss to Conor McGregor in 2013. 

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ATL #UFC236 🎶: @troubleman31 KING

A post shared by Max Holloway (@blessedmma) on

Now the undisputed featherweight king, Holloway has opted to move up a weight class to face Poirier (himself a former 145lb fighter) in a bid to claim interim lightweight gold and become the latest member of the 'champ champ' club. 

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Championship Mindset 👑 💎

A post shared by Dustin Poirier (@dustinpoirier) on

Poirier, meanwhile, has also gone from strength to strength since abandoning the featherweight division after his own loss to McGregor, running roughshod through the lightweight division. His last three victories at 155lbs all came against former world champions, all of them by stoppage. 

Both fighters are among the most exciting in their respective weight classes, which makes their clash on Saturday a tantalizing prospect for fight fans, though with the winner set to face the returning Nurmagomedov in five months' time, one suspects that whoever has their hand raised in Atlanta, Georgia, this weekend will have a different type of challenge awaiting them in the Middle East. 

ADESANYA'S MIDDLEWEIGHT CORONATION?

Since entering the UFC in February of last year, it was clear that Israel Adesanya was a special talent. His eye-catching style of striking hastened comparisons with the great Anderson Silva, a thought which was underlined when he defeated the Brazilian legend in February - just a year after debuting with the organization. 

The New Zealander of Nigerian heritage is undoubtably a star in the making, no doubt the reason for him being fast-tracked to title contention where he will face Kelvin Gastelum with the UFC's interim middleweight championship on the line.

Also on rt.com UFC 234: Adesanya outguns Silva as replacement main event entertains in Melbourne

Gastelum has been in superb form since moving up to 185lbs from the welterweight division after continually struggling to make the 170lb limit. He has defeated middleweight stalwarts Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souze and Michael Bisping in his last two outings to set him up as one of the two fighters chasing interim gold in champion Robert Whittaker's injury-related absence. 

Both Adesanya and Gastelum are predominantly strikers, with the former relying on his rangy, unorthodox techniques and the latter more on brute, concussive power. Whoever is able to establish their gameplan early is the likely winner.

OTHER NOTABLE FIGHTS 

Khalil Rountree Jr. has drawn a tough assignment as he looks to rebound from a defeat to Johnny Walker, as he faces Eryk Anders on the main card while there is also an intriguing light heavyweight contest between veterans Ovince St. Preux and Nikita Krylov.

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION WITH RT SPORT!

RT Sport will be bringing you full coverage of all the UFC 236 action as it happens.

We will have live updates on our website, as well the launch of our exciting new show, Fight Night on RT Sport, which premieres on our main YouTube channel

Renowned MMA analyst Robin Black will be our host, giving you his unique insight on all the action and reaction, and will be joined by some very special guests.

Be sure to tune in for what promises to be a special night of action! 

UFC 236: Fight Card

MAIN CARD

Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier - interim lightweight title
Israel Adesanya vs Kelvin Gastelum - interim middleweight title
Eryk Anders vs Khalil Rountree Jr. - light heavyweight
Alan Jouban vs Dwight Grant - welterweight
Ovince St. Preux vs Nikita Krylov - light heavyweight

PRELIMINARY CARD

Jalin Turner vs Matt Frevola - lightweight
Wilson Reis vs Alexandre Pantoja - flyweight
Max Griffin vs Zelim Imadaev - welterweight
Boston Salmon vs Khalid Taha - bantamweight
Curtin Millender vs Belal Muhammad - welterweight
Montel Jackson vs Andre Soukhamthath - bantamweight
Lauren Mueller vs Poliana Botelho - flyweight
Brandon Davis vs Randy Costa - bantamweight

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