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Islam Makhachev on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s return: ‘Why would I want extra competition in the lightweight division?’

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has laughed off a potential UFC return for his trainer and former division champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov — questioning how he could deal with more competition at 155lbs.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight gold holder and pound-for-pound number one, has been sidelined since he successfully defended the divisional crown for the third time, most recently featuring at UFC 302 in New Jersey.

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Islam Makhachev on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s return: 'Why would I want extra competition in the lightweight division?' 2

And knocking back the charge of former interim champion, Dustin Poirier, Makhachev battled the Lafayette striker over the course of five rounds, eventually locking in a fifth round D’Arce choke, stopping the challenger in his tracks.